New salmon farm approved in British Columbia
The government of British Columbia announced the approval of a new salmon farm licence on Wednesday, bringing to a total of four the number of new licences approved since the release of a report recommending all fish farms in B.C. be transformed to closed containment. The report, produced by a speciel legislative committee dominated by members of the opposition party, the New Democratic Party (NDP) was delivered to the government on May 16 this year. The decision to approve the licence application submitted by Grieg Seafood in April, 2003 was made with the support of the local aboriginal band in the area, the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation. More and more First Nations are becoming interested in aquaculture development of various kinds, as reliable information is provided by organizations like the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association. As expected, B.C. environmental organizations were quick to criticize the decision, calling for a halt to the approval of new conventional salmon farm licences until the government has responded to the special committee's report.
