It was just one sentence about removing open-net fish farms from B.C. waters by 2025.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote it in the Dec. 13 to Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan.

But that one promise provided a long-awaited positive sign for independent biologist Alexandra Morton, and Skwah First Nation elder Eddie Gardner, who have both been fighting for years to see open-net fish farms moved off the migratory routes of Fraser River wild salmon runs.

The PM鈥檚 letter pledges to: 鈥淲ork with the province of British Columbia and Indigenous communities to create a responsible plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025, and begin work to introduce Canada鈥檚 first-ever Aquaculture Act.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 very encouraging news,鈥� Gardner said in a phone interview, adding he鈥檒l be firing off a letter of congratulations and thanks to the PM, for following up on a campaign promise, as well as to the Province of B.C. and the new Fisheries Minister.

鈥淭his will go a long way toward international efforts to restore our wild salmon and to preserve them for the wild salmon economy, and the biodiversity upon which we all depend,鈥� Gardner said.

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As one of the founders of the Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance, Gardner has lobbied government, business and the public for years, holding rallies at big box stores to reinforce the idea that open-net fish farming needs to be shifted away from the ocean.

Morton reacted on Twitter with: 鈥淲ell, finally a glimmer of hope,鈥� and although she envisions a lot of work ahead with the new minister, the PM鈥檚 words constitute a 鈥減ath鈥� to be followed.

An aquaculture representative weighed in as well.

鈥淭he Canadian seafood farmers look forward to working with Minister Jordan under her new mandate from the Prime Minister,鈥� said Tim Kennedy, president of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance.

The 鈥楬igh Level Panel鈥� for a Sustainable Oceans Economy, to which Canada鈥檚 PM is a signatory, has posited that 鈥渢he largest potential carbon reduction gains for food production鈥� are in the sustainable expansion of marine aquaculture, he said.

鈥淥ur sector is a carbon and sustainable food solution. We are also a great opportunity for Canada鈥檚 Indigenous peoples and reconciliation and for good jobs in rural and coastal communities,鈥� Kennedy said.

Aquaculture will figure prominently in the global 鈥榖lue economy鈥� down the road.

鈥淭he announcement of Canada鈥檚 first Oceans Strategy is very important and seafood farming will play a critical role,鈥� Kennedy noted. 鈥淲e look forward to discussions with partners in B.C. to develop a responsible plan for the future of salmon farming in the province.鈥�

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jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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