Salmon farmers look at options as licences not renewed in BC.
Mowi, Cermaq and Grieg Seafood have all been affected by the news that salmon farming in the Discovery Islands, British Columbia, will be phased out from June 30, 2022.
Grieg Seafood communications manager Kristina Furnes told SalmonBusiness that one of its 20 farms in BC may be impacted by this decision, but that the company was looking at the option of increasing production on other farms.
“We are looking at moving that production to other farms,” she said adding that “we are supporting implementing UNDRIP and the journey of reconciliation that we are all a part of in BC, including Indigenous Peoples’ right to Govern their own territory. We have strong faith in our BC region going forward”.
A spokesperson for Cermaq told SalmonBusiness that it has three sites on Discovery Island. The company said that it was “too early” to comment. The Mitsibushi-owned salmon farmer is currently trialing a semi-closed containment system pilot at its Millar Channel farm site, also in British Columbia.
Earlier on Friday, salmon giant Mowi said that the phase out affects 30 per-cent, or about 10-12,000 tonnes of Mowi’s total average annual harvest volume in British Columbia from 2022.
CLARIFICATION: It was initially reported that Cermaq said that it was “too early” to expand any moves to closed containment. The company clarified that it meant it was “too early” to comment.
