The above tells you all you need to know about the reaction in Kitkatla to the report of the Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture.
The report which was issued earlier this week called for a ban on fish farming north of Cape Caution, a ban that will have a major impact on the First Nation community, which has been working to create an aquaculture industry in their territory to provide employment for the people of Kitkatla.
The Daily News examined the issue from the Kitkatla perspective as well as from the point of view of the industry stake holders, with an article in Thursday’s paper. The article included the thoughts of Farm industry executives and of Chief Clifford White, head of the Kitkatla Nation and someone who probably is not too impressed with the NDP led committee this week.
‘REPORT SLAMS DOOR ON MEANIGNFUL LOCAL JOBS’
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Page three
The Chief of the Kitkatla Nation says the recommendations of the NDP led Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture will prevent his people for economic development.
“The NDP are slamming the door in the face of our people,” says Chief Clifford White, Gitxaala First Nation. “We believe aquaculture creates a sustainable economy that will allow our people to build meaningful jobs and careers in our traditional homes. The report presented today is totally unacceptable.”
Kitkatla are among the coastal First Nations that want to see aquaculture developed in their territory in order to provide employment.
However, the report recommends banning any new developments north of Cape Caution as well as a transition to ocean-based closed containment within five years.
The industry responded yesterday by saying the report may satisfy environmental activists but it will be at the expense of B. C.’s coastal communities.
“If these recommendations are adopted as presented here today, it would send a clear message to our First Nation partners, the coastal communities who depend on our industry and the wider business community that B. C. is not a favourable place to do business,” added Alistair Haughton, deputy managing director, Mainstream Canada. “The idea that we could turn away from scientifically developed and environmentally sustainable practices to gamble with the health of our livestock by attempting to rear them in systems with no data to support their claimed benefits is simply not acceptable.”
Industry representatives said the committee members’ lack of technical understanding, their willingness to ignore science and commercial interests, and their apparent disregard for the men and women who work in the aquaculture industry, and for First Nations interested in sustainable aquaculture, was shocking.
Critics noted commercial closed containment technology is not in use anywhere in the world. Pilot projects undertaken by industry and government in B. C. and many other parts of the world have raised significant concerns about fish health and the amount of power required to mimic ocean conditions.
“While we haven’t had an opportunity to read the report in detail, based on what we understand is being recommended we are disappointed,” says Clare Backman, Marine Harvest Canada. “We had hoped for more innovative, original recommendations providing for the continuity of a strong viable industry while addressing the issues of sustainability. The immediate next step is to review these recommendations in detail and provide our perspective to government and interested parties. In doing this, our focus is on ensuring our practices are environmentally appropriate and economically viable but without reliance upon unproven closed technology that has historically failed to deliver its promised results.”
A report – Salmon Forever - published by the BC Auditor General in 2005 pointed to a number of environmental impacts affecting wild salmon and their habitat, by type of activity. Representatives of the salmon farming industry are calling on governments to revisit that report and take the action required rather than endorsing recommendations that they say will adversely impact more than 6.000 men and women employed in aquaculture.
“Certainty is critical to provide security for our members’ existing investments and to encourage investment into many remote rural communities,” said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director, and BC Salmon Farmers Association.
“If we strip away the rhetoric in the committee’s report, the harsh reality is that the main recommendations say B. C. does not want to participate in the global marketplace and that companies are better to invest elsewhere,” said Walling.
The report which was issued earlier this week called for a ban on fish farming north of Cape Caution, a ban that will have a major impact on the First Nation community, which has been working to create an aquaculture industry in their territory to provide employment for the people of Kitkatla.
The Daily News examined the issue from the Kitkatla perspective as well as from the point of view of the industry stake holders, with an article in Thursday’s paper. The article included the thoughts of Farm industry executives and of Chief Clifford White, head of the Kitkatla Nation and someone who probably is not too impressed with the NDP led committee this week.
‘REPORT SLAMS DOOR ON MEANIGNFUL LOCAL JOBS’
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Page three
The Chief of the Kitkatla Nation says the recommendations of the NDP led Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture will prevent his people for economic development.
“The NDP are slamming the door in the face of our people,” says Chief Clifford White, Gitxaala First Nation. “We believe aquaculture creates a sustainable economy that will allow our people to build meaningful jobs and careers in our traditional homes. The report presented today is totally unacceptable.”
Kitkatla are among the coastal First Nations that want to see aquaculture developed in their territory in order to provide employment.
However, the report recommends banning any new developments north of Cape Caution as well as a transition to ocean-based closed containment within five years.
The industry responded yesterday by saying the report may satisfy environmental activists but it will be at the expense of B. C.’s coastal communities.
“If these recommendations are adopted as presented here today, it would send a clear message to our First Nation partners, the coastal communities who depend on our industry and the wider business community that B. C. is not a favourable place to do business,” added Alistair Haughton, deputy managing director, Mainstream Canada. “The idea that we could turn away from scientifically developed and environmentally sustainable practices to gamble with the health of our livestock by attempting to rear them in systems with no data to support their claimed benefits is simply not acceptable.”
Industry representatives said the committee members’ lack of technical understanding, their willingness to ignore science and commercial interests, and their apparent disregard for the men and women who work in the aquaculture industry, and for First Nations interested in sustainable aquaculture, was shocking.
Critics noted commercial closed containment technology is not in use anywhere in the world. Pilot projects undertaken by industry and government in B. C. and many other parts of the world have raised significant concerns about fish health and the amount of power required to mimic ocean conditions.
“While we haven’t had an opportunity to read the report in detail, based on what we understand is being recommended we are disappointed,” says Clare Backman, Marine Harvest Canada. “We had hoped for more innovative, original recommendations providing for the continuity of a strong viable industry while addressing the issues of sustainability. The immediate next step is to review these recommendations in detail and provide our perspective to government and interested parties. In doing this, our focus is on ensuring our practices are environmentally appropriate and economically viable but without reliance upon unproven closed technology that has historically failed to deliver its promised results.”
A report – Salmon Forever - published by the BC Auditor General in 2005 pointed to a number of environmental impacts affecting wild salmon and their habitat, by type of activity. Representatives of the salmon farming industry are calling on governments to revisit that report and take the action required rather than endorsing recommendations that they say will adversely impact more than 6.000 men and women employed in aquaculture.
“Certainty is critical to provide security for our members’ existing investments and to encourage investment into many remote rural communities,” said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director, and BC Salmon Farmers Association.
“If we strip away the rhetoric in the committee’s report, the harsh reality is that the main recommendations say B. C. does not want to participate in the global marketplace and that companies are better to invest elsewhere,” said Walling.
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