We are private sector supply companies to the aquaculture sector, including companies developing “closed containment” technologies.
We are very concerned about the federal government’s objective announced today of “no more open net pens in BC coastal waters by 2029.” What has been announced today does not meet the government’s commitment to a “responsible” plan as it will negatively impact thousands of Canadians.
Our sector supports thousands of skilled BC workers, including the youngest agri-food workforce in Canada. Our workers only a few years ago were called “essential” for Canada by your government.
There are over 1000 distinct supply companies involved in BC salmon farming. Many of these also service Atlantic Canada and rely on a strong sector to grow Canadian jobs across Canada. BC’s historically largest agricultural export touches so many people’s lives: farming and food production, including food retail and service, health companies, food banks, food processors, local auto dealers, feed manufacturers, and grain growers, just to name a few. Canadian salmon feed companies purchase close to $150 million annually from Canadian grain and protein suppliers, supporting a circular economy with the potential for significant value-added growth.
It is critical that current net pen farms remain because of the foundational supply chain infrastructure and investment ecosystem that they support. The success of introducing innovative technologies in British Columbia relies on this investment and supply ecosystem being strong, stable and predictable. The absence of certainty and clarity has already weakened capital investment. Further closures could jeopardize the viability of the current production and supply chain, which will also jeopardize industry’s investment in our technologies in British Columbia.
A responsible path will work towards improvement in the current net pen sector while also building and developing new technologies. This will take time and needs a reasonable incremental approach. This policy announced today must be revisited and we call on all British Columbians and Canadians to support us in calling for this government to choose a balanced pathway.
Brian Bosien, General Manager, AKVA Group, St John’s, NL
Marina Gaiga, Owner, Alberni Island Shuttle, Port Alberni, BC
Samuel B. Cook, Owner, Albert Bay Towing Ltd., Albert Bay, BC
Ryan Brush, General Manager, Aquatrans Distributors, Delta, BC
Bob Courage, Sales & Service Representative, BAADER, St. John’s, NL
Jason Collins, Sales & Technical Manager, NA, Benchmark Genetics, Portland, ME
Joseph Starcevic, Owner, Blue Continent Transportation, Surrey, BC
David Dzisiak, Chief Operating Officer, Botaneco, Calgary, AB
Stephen Hall, COO, Browns Bay Packing Company, Campbell River, BC
Jeff Scott, President and CEO, Coastal Pacific Xpress Inc., Surrey, BC
Cody Warner, Director, Sales & Marketing, Deep Trekker, Kitchener, ON
Nicole Blanchard, COO & Aqua Director, EVAH Corp., Montreal, QC
Justin Henry, Owner, Henry Aquaculture Consult Inc, North Vancouver, BC
Scott Dunn, Owner, Intercoastal Tug & Barge Services, Campbell River, BC
John Holder, President, JLH Consulting Inc., Courtenay, BC
Doren Anderson, General Manager, Morenot Canada, Campbell River, BC
Amir Boloar, President and CEO, Northwest Plastics, Port Coquitlam, BC
Michael Ness, Aquaculture Technical Support and Account Manager—Canada West, Pharmaq, Oslo, Norway
Jamie Gaskill, CEO, Poseidon Ocean Systems, Campbell River, BC
Suzie Read, General Manager, ScaleAQ, Campbell River, BC
Trevor Stanley, Managing Director North America, Skretting Canada Inc., Vancouver, BC
John Arne Breivik, General Manager, Stingray Marine Solutions AS, Oslo, Norway
Ravi Jouhal, General Manager, Sure Cold Refrigerated Storage, Surrey, BC
Bradley Hicks, Partner, Taplow Ventures, North Vancouver, BC