Salmon Farming and
First Nations
For the past 10,000 years, coastal First Nations of British Columbia have relied on the sea to provide for their people. Supported by the plentiful marine resources, First Nations communities developed vibrant cultures rich in song, dance and art works that are acclaimed worldwide.
Abundant runs of wild salmon, together with the harvest of other seafood, fed entire villages. Village beaches still gleam white with sun-bleached shells, reminiscent of bountiful harvests. Rockfish, abalone, cockles, eulachon and countless other marine species were staple food items.
All of this is in jeopardy. The establishment of salmon farms on the BC coast has had a disastrous effect on First Nations' traditional ways of life. Sea lice infestations from salmon farms threaten the survival of wild salmon runs. Recent, independent science has confirmed elevated levels of mercury in rockfish near salmon farms. As a result, children and women of child bearing age have been advised to restrict their consumption of this customary food. Clam beaches near salmon farms are covered with sludge and contaminated with decomposing fish feces and waste food from the farms, leaving the once pink and healthy clams black and inedible.
First Nations who harvest returning wild salmon from the inland rivers are just as affected by the threat salmon farms pose to the abundance of wild stocks. The risk of losing such a valuable source of food has led many inland First Nations to join coastal Nations in challenging the issuance of new salmon farm licenses.
The majority of coastal First Nations in BC want the existing open net-cage farms phased out. They support an end to expansion of the industry into new regions, and where farms already exist, support a transition to closed containment systems that will control pollution and end threats to wild marine species.
A letter from the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
The
Musgamagw Tsawataineuk People have inhabited the Broughton Archipelago
for thousands of years. We consider it our garden; it has nourished
us for as long as we have been here. But that has changed with the
arrival of salmon farms. We, the First Peoples of this land, have
had direct experiences with the Atlantic salmon farms and have witnessed
the negative impact they have on the environment. First Nations
relationship with the sea is based on mutual respect and we are
the stewards over the land and the sea that supports Communities.
Leaders, Chiefs and Elders teach the ways of the ancestors to ensure
that generations to come will continue to live in harmony with the
riches of the environment, while incorporating modern life. This
balance is fundamental to the health of First Nations and their
communities. The First Nations People that live in what is now called
British Columbia were never conquered and have never surrendered
the right to govern or be stewards of their traditional territories.
Only by continuing to act as the stewards of our traditional territories,
can we continue our traditional values that are important to us.
There have been many changes to our environment since our traditional areas have been inundated with fish farms. These changes are, pollution in our waters, contamination on our clam beds, and infections to our wild fish. The almost complete collapse of some wild salmon runs due to sea lice epidemics are seen. Seals, sea lions and many species of sea birds are seen as predators to the net cage fish farms and are shot. These creatures make up part of our traditional diet yet they are shot and disposed of like garbage. These animals are doing what comes naturally to them; survive by always hunting for food.
We are the authority on industrial fish farms because there are 27 salmon farms in our traditional territories; the greatest density of net cages on our coast. Despite our many documented objections to fish farms in our traditional territories, the industry and governments continue to place farms where they are not wanted. This blatant disrespect of First Nations values is posing a threat to the health of all in the Broughton Archipelago. The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council, which consists of three member bands, Namgis First Nation, Tsawataineuk First Nation and the Kwicksutaineuk Ah Kwa-Mish, have never been consulted with and have always had “zero tolerance” towards fish farms in their traditional territories.
Many of our people have always made their living from the sea. We know that the promise of jobs from fish farming is a false promise because many of these open net cage farms are automated. Commercial fishermen have not been able to compete with the fish farm industry because of the flooding of the global market of farmed salmon. These farms are located here against our wishes; we have asked repeatedly that they be removed. Neither the industry nor the governments have listened to us. Our people are becoming impatient with governments that do not listen. It is reassuring to see other interested groups such as the Environmentalists, Sports Fishing Industry, Steelhead Society and Commercial Fishermen get involved and share the same issues and concerns as First Nations People.
We know that there is a big problem when we witness contamination on our clam beaches. This industry is affecting First Nations people because clams and wild salmon have been a main part of our diet since time immemorial. But now they are being contaminated and are disappearing.
The Broughton Archipelago is a beautiful place with many resources. We believe that if this industry stays here without making sweeping changes, they will eventually wipe out all wild stocks, destroy the environment and the people that rely on the food and resources as a means of survival.
Contact the MTTC:
Phone: 250-974-5516
Fax: 250-974-5466
