The 鈥楴amgis First Nation are taking the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) through the court system once again.

According to a press release issued by 鈥楴amgis Chief Don Svanvik, the nation has 鈥渇iled an application for judicial review of Fisheries and Oceans Canada鈥檚 Oct. 3, 2019 policy decision not to prohibit the stocking of open-net pen fish farms with Atlantic salmon infected with the Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV).鈥�

The relase also noted that 鈥淯nder this PRV Policy, smolts are to be tested for two supposed 鈥榮trains鈥� of PRV prior to transfer into open net pens but will not be tested for a supposedly 鈥榥ative strain鈥� of PRV. DFO has not produced any evidence that such a 鈥榥ative strain鈥� of PRV exists. DFO will not prohibit stocking fish farms with fish infected with PRV.鈥�

鈥淭his is a flagrant disregard of the precautionary principle, scientific research, our constitutionally protected title and rights, and the findings of the Federal Court,鈥� says Svanvik via press release. 鈥淭wice the Federal Court has found DFO鈥檚 refusal to prohibit stocking of fish infected with PRV unlawful. In the first decision, the Federal Court found that DFO has a positive duty to prohibit 鈥榯ransfers [into the marine environment] if the fish have diseases or disease agents that may be harmful to the protection and conservation of fish鈥�.鈥�

editor@northislandgazette.com
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Read the full press release below