The BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) has announced that its executive director, John Paul Fraser, is stepping down.
Veteran industry expert, Ruth Salmon, who is currently BCSFA’s senior advisor, will be moving into the role of interim executive director for the next six months. Salmon, was the former executive director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) for ten years, and member of the BCSFA team since 2018.
“We are very grateful for the hard work, dedication, and commitment John has given us and he will be deeply missed, but despite John’s departure the Association is in excellent hands moving forward,” said BCSFA spokesperson, Michelle Franze, in a letter to association members.
“The next six months is critical for our sector, as the reissuance of the 79 licences and tenures set to expire this June, will define the future of our industry,” said Franze.
“Over the next six months, our focus at the Association will be to mobilize a coordinated effort with the clear objective of supportive licence reissuance decisions. The reissuance not only impacts producing companies, but many of you as supplier and service companies,” she said.
The BCSFA represents 70 businesses and organizations throughout the value chain of finfish aquaculture in British Columbia, which support about 6,500 full-time, year round jobs in the province.
