Change to closed fish farms, 'snakes' tell feds

Paul Rudan
December 15, 2009
Campbell River Mirror

After spouting venom for two days, the “pit of snakes” gave federal fisheries officials one final option – make B.C.’s coastal fish farms change to closed-containment systems.

“There’s a lot of long-term resentment here,” said Anne Cameron of Tahsis. “You probably left your offices in Ottawa with a head full of idealism and then walked into a pit of snakes...you came here with a plan that already seems to be done.”

However, officials with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (also known as DFO) said they had come to Campbell River last week to consult with stakeholders, the public and other user groups about the change in governmental responsibility over fish farms.

In the new year, the federal government will assume control over all sea-based aquaculture operations, including fish farms. The changeover was ordered by the B.C. Supreme Court which ruled that fish farms are a federal responsibility.

Read the full story in The Campbell River Mirror