Dzawada’enuxw First Nation to push for removal of fish farms

‘What the Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w require is legal rights now,’ says lawyer representing First Nation

by Chantelle Bellrichard, CBC News,  June 20, 2018

A coastal First Nation in B.C. is vowing to challenge the B.C. government’s new approach to fish farm tenures, which would give First Nations a say over where these operations can set up on the West Coast.

The province announced Wednesday that starting in 2022, fish farms will need First Nations approval to renew their tenures.

B.C. fish farms will require Indigenous consent

Members of the Kwakwaka’wakw occupy a fish farm in August 2017.

by Justine Hunter, Globe & Mail, June 19, 2018

The B.C. government is poised to give an effective veto to First Nations over fish farm tenures in their territories, a historic concession that reaches beyond the traditional court-ordered requirement that Indigenous groups be consulted and accommodated on resource decisions on their lands.

B.C. Supreme Court grants injunction against fish farm protesters

Marine Harvest operates more than 30 fish farms in B.C., which employ over 500 people. (CBC News)

Marine Harvest operates a site near Port Hardy, B.C., that has been the site of demonstrations for months

CBC News, Dec 27, 2017

The B.C. Supreme Court has granted an injunction against a number of people who have trespassed on a fish farm company’s property in recent months.

Marine Harvest Canada applied for the injunction for their licensed aquaculture site on Midsummer Island, one of several fish farms they operate in the Broughton Archipelago, east of Port Hardy.

Protesters ordered off Midsummer Island fish farm

by Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun, Nov 14, 2017

First Nations protesters have been ordered to vacate their camp on a fish farm near Midsummer Island for 30 days while they prepare for a court date on Marine Harvest’s application for an injunction that would see them permanently removed from the site.

Video: Matriarch Camp

Matriarch Camp —- Occupation of B.C. Premier John Horgan’s Office on Lekwungen territory, in solidarity with ‘Namgis and Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw salmon protectors who are occupying open-net Fish Farms operated by the Norwegian company Marine Harvest at Midsummer Island and Swanson Island in the Broughton Archipelago. Indigenous consent has never been given to these Atlantic salmon farms. Removal of the fish farms has been requested by the Nations on whose territories they illegally operate.

First Nations Assert Food Fishing Rights In Area of Fish Farm Restocking

Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Cleansing Our Waters, October 23, 2017
Press Release
First Nations Assert Food Fishing Rights In Area of Fish Farm Restocking Several food-fishing gillnet boats operated by ‘Namgis and Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw fishermen in Knight Inlet were approached on Friday evening by a salmon smolt restocking vessel, the Orca Chief, operated by the Norwegian-owned company Marine Harvest, on its way to restock the Port Elizabeth fish farm, owned by the same company.

B.C. First Nations say another occupation possible after fish farm restocking

Protest outside of BC Premier John Horgan’s office in Victoria, BC, October 13, 2017.

by Laurie Hamelin, APTN National News, October 14, 2017

Just days after meeting with B.C. Premier John Horgan and sending a clear message that fish farms are not wanted in the northern part of the province, community members occupying one farm are now say another occupation is possible after watching RCMP in black zodiacs escort a restocking ship travelling to a fish farm near Alert Bay, where the Horgan meeting took place.

NDP’s Horgan won’t commit to abolishing fish farms on trip to northern B.C.

Leaders meet in the Big House on ‘Namgis Territory in northern B.C. with prmier John Horgan and his ministers. Photo: Alexandra Morton

by Laurie Hamelin, APTN National News, October 12, 2017

On a trip to northern B.C., Premier John Horgan met Kwakwakā’wakw Nation leaders to talk about fish farms Tuesday but would not commit to abolishing the open-net cages.

“Any strategy for aquaculture must put a priority on the protection of wild salmon, collaborate with First Nations and acknowledge their interests,” read a statement from Horgan’s office posted online.

First Nations leaders rally in support of B.C. salmon farm occupation

Chief Willie Moon has occupied salmon farms in the past, and says the Musgamagw Dzawda’enuxw is prepared to do whatever it takes to close fish farms along the coast. (Jon Hernandez/CBC)

Document urging the province to move fish farms inland to be delivered to Premier John Horgan

By Jon Hernandez, CBC News, September 7, 2017

Dozens of Indigenous leaders and protestors rallied outside the Vancouver Convention Centre today urging the province to dismantle salmon farms along the B.C. coast.

The calls came as environmentalists and members of the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw and the Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwamis First Nations occupy two Marine Harvest Canada salmon farms in their territorial waters off the north end of Vancouver Island.

Video: Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw block fish farm packer boat

on September 6, 2017, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw hereditary chiefs, women and supporters took a stand against a Norwegian packing boat.