Ottawa delays phase-out of open ocean salmon farms to 2029

The federal government is giving the British Columbia aquaculture industry another five years to transition away from open-net pen farms.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised in 2019 to phase out the controversial open-water industry, and the federal government had set a target of 2025.

Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson revealed the new timeline in twin announcements in Vancouver and Ottawa on Wednesday, saying licence extensions to 2029 to allow for a “responsible, realistic, and achievable transition.”

“The industry knew changes would be made and I think all of us together we will co-build sustainable fisheries for our population for the future,” Lebouthillier said.

Wilkinson said the phase-out remains necessary given the declining stock of wild Pacific salmon and the critical role the fish play to First Nations people and to B.C.’s ecology and economy.

While there remains “significant scientific uncertainty” about the impact of fish farms on wild salmon stock, the federal government must act on the “precautionary principle” and address all potential causes of the species’ decline.

“Proponents of open-net pen salmon aquaculture have argued that the impacts on wild Pacific salmon stocks are not significant,” Wilkinson said.

“On the other hand, many scientists, including those from a wide range of academic institutions and from respected institutions such as the Pacific Salmon Foundation have argued strongly that the potential impacts of open-net pens on wild pacific salmon stocks are indeed significant.”

Wilkinson noted that no other jurisdiction in North America currently allows open-net pen salmon farming. Washington state, the last to do so, banned it in 2022.

The new five-year