The BCSFA issued the following statement in response to today’s decision by the federal government on the Discovery Island salmon farms.
CAMPBELL RIVER, BC – This decision has significant implications and puts salmon farming in B.C. and across Canada at risk. This comes at a bad time, during a pandemic when local food supply and good local jobs have never been more important. We have just received this decision, and will be taking some time to consider it and speak with the numerous companies and communities involved in salmon farming in the province before commenting further.
Quick Facts: BC Salmon Farming Sector
- BC farmed salmon is BC’s #1 seafood and agri-food export with a total economic output of $1.6 billion.
- Salmon farming currently supports nearly 6,500 full time jobs that pay 30% higher than BC’s median income.
- Many of these jobs are in rural coastal Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities on North Vancouver Island.
- Salmon farmers produce 87,000 tonnes of farmed salmon annually, this creates 353 million healthy, locally produced, carbon friendly meals.
- Since the pandemic salmon donations to local and regional food banks alone have exceeded 112,000lbs (equal to over 500,000 meals).