Submission 0680-SASS

Submitter: Donald Sass

Community: Campbell River

Date Submitted: August 30, 2023

Summary:
Closed containment fish farming has proven to be viable so remove open net pens from Canadian waters.

Submission:
While BC salmon fish farms may not be the only factor contributing to the decliner of pacific wild salmon, there does seem to be overwhelming evidence that they are contributing to this salmon decline. Also there does not seem to be any over whelming Federal Government interest to address this situation through appropriate legislation. It seems governments are supporting the fish farming industry and their current operational approach at the expense of other options. While other countries have either banned fish farms or moved to land containment, such as Australia, BC continues to allow open net fish farming. Closed containment has proven to be viable so there is no need to delay implementing a policy to remove open net fish farming from Canadian waters.