Declaration asks British Columbians to support removal of open net-pen fish farms to shield wild salmon from the spread of farm-related pollution and diseases.

Today in Vancouver, a diverse group of B.C. community, Indigenous, and business leaders announced the launch of the “Declaration in Defence of Wild Salmon”.  The declaration seeks to draw together the growing number of voices calling on the B.C. government to take action on salmon farming by refusing to renew fish farm leases when they expire this June.

The declaration describes B.C. wild salmon stocks as a “public treasure”, and points to disease and pollution from open-net fish farms as a reversible threat to their survival. The declaration’s proponents are calling for its immediate implementation in the Broughton Archipelago, where leases are expiring in the traditional territories of First Nations who have resisted salmon farming for decades.

The group is calling on more British Columbians from all walks of life to sign the declaration today. Time is running out to show the Provincial government the strength of support for transitioning open net-pen salmon farms to land. The declaration is found at www.safesalmon.ca, a website hosted by SeaChoice partner organization Living Oceans Society, Watershed Watch Salmon Society and Georgia Strait Alliance. SeaChoice partner organization David Suzuki Foundation is among the 27 groups and prominent individuals that have launched the declaration.

Visit our priority species profile to learn more about the sustainability challenges and solutions with open-net pen salmon farming in B.C.