Port authority imposes ban on development around Lelu Island

The site of the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG plant, Lelu Island, near Port Edward, BC Photograph by: http://www.lonniewishart.com , Vancouver Sun

Following Pacific Northwest LNG, there will be no future projects proposed near Flora Bank

by Shannon Lough, Northern View, Jan. 17, 2019

There will be no industrial development in the marine area next to Lelu Island.

On Thursday, Jan. 17, the Prince Rupert Port Authority announced it’s placing a developmental moratorium on Flora, Agnew and Horsey Banks to ensure the protection of marine habitat.

Fish farm protestors in Victoria use Canada Day event to voice opposition

Rose Henry (left) is joined by a fellow activist and Bobby Arbess (right) as the group voices opposition to fish farms on unceded traditional territories during Canada Day celebrations at the B.C. legislature, Sunday. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

“We’re here to today to draw attention to the responsibility the federal government has to make true reconciliation happen.”

Kristyn Anthony, Oak Bay News, July 1, 2018

Protestors peacefully voicing their opposition to fish farms in British Columbia crashed Canada Day celebrations on the legislature lawn in Victoria, Sunday.

As thousands of people donned in red and white assembled to take the city’s annual living flag photo, roughly twenty activists took the opportunity to spread their message, sitting before the large audience, chanting.

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.

Federal court dismisses B.C. First Nation’s bid to block fish farm restocking

Court said there is ‘likelihood of harm’ from fish-borne disease, but rejected injunction because of timing

The Canadian Press, March 26, 2018

A B.C. First Nation has lost its court bid to prevent the restocking of an open-net salmon farm in its traditional territories off northern Vancouver Island.

The ‘Namgis First Nation had asked the Federal Court for an injunction against Marine Harvest that would have blocked the company from transferring up to one million juvenile Atlantic salmon, known as smolts, to its Swanson Island farm.

B.C. First Nation in federal court in bid to halt fish farm restocking

The Canadian Press, March 13, 2018

VICTORIA – A First Nation is asking the Federal Court to prevent the restocking of an open-net salmon farm in its traditional territories off northern Vancouver Island.

The Namgis First Nation of Alert Bay says prior to any fish transfer to an open-net pen at nearby Swanson Island, the Atlantic salmon smolts should be tested for the blood virus piscine reovirus.

Washington state senate bans Atlantic salmon farming in state waters

Drone footage shows the mangled remains of a net pen near Cypress Island in Washington state that collapsed Aug. 19, 2017, releasing, what a report by state agencies estimates at about 250,000 Atlantic salmon into Pacific waters. (Beau Garreau)

Company that runs state’s net-pen fish farms says it is considering next moves

By Liam Britten, CBC News, March 2, 2018

Washington State senators voted Friday to ban Atlantic salmon farming in state waters.

The passage of the legislation means the state will no longer allow commercial net-pen aquaculture for Atlantic salmon in state waters.

Arrests at DFO office over fish farm protest

From Noah Stewart via Facebook, March 1, 2018

Today, three indigenous womxn were arrested outside of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans office on unceded WSANEC territory. Two are currently being held overnight at the Saanich Police station. If you are able, please please show up to show we care. We will be holding space there tonight. In addition, people are asked to come down to the DFO office, 4250 Commerce Circle, beginning first thing in the morning tomorrow for continued presence as previously planned.

Kwakwaka’wakw leaders hand eviction notice to B.C. fish farm

Members of B.C. First Nations deliver an eviction notice to a fish farm operated by Marine Harvest on Jan. 22, 2018. (CTV Vancouver)

CTV News, January 22, 2018

Setting out from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, members of at least six B.C. First Nations took to the sea Monday to deliver an eviction notice to a fish farm operated by Marine Harvest: one of Canada’s largest producers of farmed Atlantic salmon.

Two Native women arrested after locking DFO offices

Tsastilqualus is arrested by Saanich police, Jan 18, 2018.

via Facebook, January 18, 2018

Tsastilqualus Ambers Umbas and Shawna Green have been arrested for refusing to remove themselves from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) office, situated on unceded WSANEC territories (near Victoria, BC).