Biologist Alexandra Morton wants a judicial inquiry. She says it's the only way to get the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to explain what went wrong.

"The investigation has to be thorough if we want to keep our fish. Because this is exactly what happened with East Coast cod," she said.

In February, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that fish farms are a federal responsibility. But that decision is under appeal.

Some aboriginal groups are worried about what this regulatory void could mean.

"I am extremely worried. I know that in our territories in the archipelago, every fish farm is up for doubling in size," said Bob Chamberlain of the Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwaw-ah-mish First Nation.