The Young Salmon Farmers of BC Respond to Licence Decision
The Young Salmon Farmers of BC are ashamed that the federal government put young Canadians’ livelihoods on the line for a chance at another term, as two-thirds of the BC salmon farming sector is under 35.
“The federal government knows five years to transition to closed containment is not possible,” says Sam Tomkinson, Co-director of the Young Salmon Farmers of BC.
“The sector has made it very clear to the government that it takes at least ten years to implement research, trial and implement new technologies.”
Over half of seafood consumed globally is farmed, and with a population expected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, Canada needs to support and grow local food production while protecting wild Pacific salmon from the impacts of climate change. Moving an already low-carbon and responsible sector to technology that isn’t proven and will increase carbon emissions and food insecurity is irresponsible.
“It’s obvious the current government does not care about supporting wild Pacific salmon or young Canadians,” says Michelle Franze, Co-founder and Co-director of the Young Salmon Farmers of BC. “Politics will always trump the well-being of Canadians and the environment, and we as young people are tired of this juvenile behaviour from a willfully ignorant government.”
Young people in British Columbia have been paying the consequences of the federal government’s constant uncertainty and political decisions.
“We have been the ones who have directly euthanized fish, wasting millions of meals for Canadians and have torn apart ocean pens with our hands after the closures in the Discovery Islands, and now to be told we will have to relive the trauma so the Government can feel good about an election is unacceptable,” says Franze.
This decision will continue to cause fear and anxiety for young people, as the fate of their careers is unknown.
“Many of us have recently bought houses and are starting families, and now we have no idea what our future holds or if we will be able to stay in the rural, remote communities that we call home because there is no other employment,” says Tomkinson.
