DECEMBER 2017 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


Salmon farm debate raises concern for


range tenures Government threats regarding tenures could have implications


Stories by TOM WALKER VICTORIA – Salmon farmers


say they’re caught in the middle of a dispute between governments, one that’s raising uncertainties over who decides where farming happens on traditional territories of BC’s Indigenous people. “Our members are still caught in the middle of a dispute between governments and those governments need to discuss what the best route forward is,” says Jeremy Dunn, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA), a member of the BC Agriculture Council. “We are hopeful that the route does not significantly impair or collapse an industry that is worth over $1.5 billion dollars to the province and results in 6,600 jobs.” Representatives of five First Nations have occupied two Marine Harvest salmon farm sites in the Broughton Archipelago between northern Vancouver Island and the mainland. In October, one of those farms was stocked with salmon smolts that had outgrown their land- based hatchery and had to be moved to net pens for grow out. The practice is similar to what chicken producers do when they restock a barn with broiler poults. But the otherwise normal


practice prompted agriculture minister Lana Popham to send a letter to Marine Harvest, whose lease of the sites expires in June 2018. “I have recently become


aware of Marine Harvest’s decision to restock the Port Elizabeth salmon farm,” Popham wrote October 13, five weeks after the First Nations occupation began. “It comes at a very sensitive time in government-to- government discussions. The decision to restock occurs as we are entering into sensitive discussions with some of the First Nations in the Broughton Archipelago who remain opposed to open-net pen salmon farming in their territories.”


Dunn describes the situation as “convoluted,”


noting that two provincial ministries are involved. Popham’s purview is aquaculture, but the statutory decision maker for tenures is the Ministry of Forests, Lands Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Popham’s letter added a


further layer of complexity, suggesting that salmon farmers and other Crown tenure holders have additional responsibilities. “Our government has committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous People [UNDRIP],” Popham wrote. “Practically, this means that companies should make every effort to develop and maintain healthy relationships with First Nations in whose territories companies are doing business.” Dunn says salmon farmers


have, and remain willing, to do so. BCSFA members adhere


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Fish farm protesters from the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw arrive at Wicklow Fish Farm, in the Broughton Archipelago to begin an occupation that has been deemed illegal. SEA SHEPHERD PHOTO


Good relationships on the range


Ranchers and First Nations have traditionally had a strong relationship in BC, says Jodie Kekula, range policy and legislation officer overseeing the 1,500 tenure agreements between ranchers and the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Kekula says there is a great deal of consultation provided for in the range tenure process. “Every single decision made by a


provincial employee must go through consultation,” says Kekula. “Consultation is taken very seriously by our staff; this is what we do. It is part of our process and we need to make sure we do this well.”


Kekula says there are different levels of consultation. “With some nations, we have a regularly scheduled meeting with their natural resource staff,” she says. “With others, we meet to discuss a specific situation. So it is very dependent on what the particular First Nation wants.” Overall, she says relationships have been


positive.


“I can only speak for the range side of things but I haven’t heard any challenges from First Nations in the years I have been doing this,” says Kekula. “There may be a request to protect a specific wildlife habitat in a grazing area, such as a moose lick, and we work something out.”


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