Salmon farms on the British Columbia coast have
had a disastrous effect on many First Nations' traditional way of life. Sea
lice infestations from salmon farms threaten the wild
salmon runs that are an integral part of their wealth and culture.
The majority of B.C.’s salmon farms are located in areas near or adjacent to First Nation communities in traditional territories. As ocean ecosystems are degraded by salmon farming so are traditional ways of life.
Recent research revealed elevated levels of mercury in rockfish caught near salmon farms. As a result, children and women of child-bearing age have been advised to restrict how much they eat of this customary food. Clam beaches near salmon farms are covered with sludge and contaminated by decomposing fish feces and waste food from salmon farms. The clams are now inedible.
The risk of losing such valuable sources of food has led many inland and coastal Nations to challenge the licencing of new salmon farms. Several First Nation governments have stated they do not want salmon farms in their traditional territories, and in some cases have even served eviction notices to the farms. The notices have been ignored.
The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk people have lived in the Broughton Archipelago for thousands of years. Currently, there are 28 salmon farms in their traditional territories. The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk are bearing witness to the negative impact that salmon farms have on the environment including:- Parasites, ulcers and lesions on ground fish
- Contaminated clam beds
- Infections on wild fish
- Collapse of some wild salmon runs due to sea lice epidemics
- Seal, sea lion and sea bird deaths