Mainstream to leave farm site for aboriginals
Contrary to popular belief, most of the aboriginal nations living in the areas of the British Columbia coast where salmon farming is carried out have a good relationship with the fish farming companies, and many mutually beneficial agreements have been negotiated and signed by First Nations and salmon farmers. A recent example of this is the support provided by the Clayoquot Sound Ahousaht First Nation of an application by Mainstream Canada for a new salmon farm site within the Ahousaht Traditional Territory that will result in the transfer of the original site to the First Nation. A public meeting about the application was held in Tofino this week, and Mainstream provided the following announcement;
Mainstream Canada's open house in Tofino Tuesday afternoon was a success. Close to 75 people came and went during the afternoon to learn about the company's application to site a new farm near Plover Point, on the east side of Meares Island in Clayoquot Sound. "We were very pleased with the turnout," said Laurie Jensen, Mainstream Canada's communications and corporate sustainability manager. "We made our scientists and experts available to answer questions from the public, and I think that really helped people understand what our new site application is all about." The site is planned to replace Mainstream's Cormorant farm site, as per the company's protocol agreement with the Ahousaht First Nation. The Cormorant site will then be made available to the Ahousaht to use for aquaculture purposes.
Ahousaht representatives, including Chief Maquinna, were also available to answer questions and talk about the site planned in their territory. The Ahousaht First Nation, based on Flores Island, supports the application and has a protocol agreement with Mainstream Canada which ensures the First Nation and the company work together in mutual respect.
Representatives from companies which supply Mainstream Canada were also there to help people see what sort of economic benefits the company's operations bring to the Ucluelet-Tofino-Ahousaht region. There are 63 local businesses which support and supply the farm sites and the company's processing plant in Tofino, and $10.3 million is spent annually to supply those operations. One-third of Mainstream Canada's 250 employees live in the Ucluelet-Tofino-Ahousaht region, and there are 155 FTE (full-time equivalent) employees in Mainstream Canada's West Coast operations. Mainstream Canada will be holding an open house in Port Alberni on Thursday, June 16, from 4-8 p.m. at the Friendship Centre at 3555 4th Ave.
