A closure of ultimately 17 farms over the next five years will create a farm-free migration corridor for wild salmon on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.
The potential of a salmon-farming ban in Washington state is being monitored closely next door, in British Columbia, where many more salmon farms operate. But they’re not worried about a spillover effect.
Canada and the United States may be friendly neighbors, but when it comes to aquaculture, the bordering countries take vastly different approaches to aquaculture in the Great Lakes.
After some rocky times, ties between B.C. salmon farmers and First Nations, have improved in recent years. Band members report consistent employment, royalties and improved quality of life. “We need aquaculture around,” says one fishing company owner.
Cockles are a common, though not overly abundant, bivalve in British Columbia waters, where they are normally found in low intertidal and subtidal regions.