It was just one sentence about removing open-net fish farms from B.C. waters by 2025.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote it in the Dec. 13 to Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan.

But that one promise provided a long-awaited positive sign for independent biologist Alexandra Morton, and Skwah First Nation elder Eddie Gardner, who have both been fighting for years to see open-net fish farms moved off the migratory routes of Fraser River wild salmon runs.

The PMB次元官网网址檚 letter pledges to: B次元官网网址淲ork with the province of British Columbia and Indigenous communities to create a responsible plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025, and begin work to introduce CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first-ever Aquaculture Act.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very encouraging news,B次元官网网址� Gardner said in a phone interview, adding heB次元官网网址檒l be firing off a letter of congratulations and thanks to the PM, for following up on a campaign promise, as well as to the Province of B.C. and the new Fisheries Minister.

B次元官网网址淭his will go a long way toward international efforts to restore our wild salmon and to preserve them for the wild salmon economy, and the biodiversity upon which we all depend,B次元官网网址� Gardner said.

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As one of the founders of the Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance, Gardner has lobbied government, business and the public for years, holding rallies at big box stores to reinforce the idea that open-net fish farming needs to be shifted away from the ocean.

Morton reacted on Twitter with: B次元官网网址淲ell, finally a glimmer of hope,B次元官网网址� and although she envisions a lot of work ahead with the new minister, the PMB次元官网网址檚 words constitute a B次元官网网址減athB次元官网网址� to be followed.

An aquaculture representative weighed in as well.

B次元官网网址淭he Canadian seafood farmers look forward to working with Minister Jordan under her new mandate from the Prime Minister,B次元官网网址� said Tim Kennedy, president of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance.

The B次元官网网址楬igh Level PanelB次元官网网址� for a Sustainable Oceans Economy, to which CanadaB次元官网网址檚 PM is a signatory, has posited that B次元官网网址渢he largest potential carbon reduction gains for food productionB次元官网网址� are in the sustainable expansion of marine aquaculture, he said.

B次元官网网址淥ur sector is a carbon and sustainable food solution. We are also a great opportunity for CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous peoples and reconciliation and for good jobs in rural and coastal communities,B次元官网网址� Kennedy said.

Aquaculture will figure prominently in the global B次元官网网址榖lue economyB次元官网网址� down the road.

B次元官网网址淭he announcement of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first Oceans Strategy is very important and seafood farming will play a critical role,B次元官网网址� Kennedy noted. B次元官网网址淲e look forward to discussions with partners in B.C. to develop a responsible plan for the future of salmon farming in the province.B次元官网网址�

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jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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