A lethal virus infected a farm north of Tofino in May of 2012 and aboriginal communities worry the same could happen in a proposed new farm in the area.

A lethal virus infected a farm north of Tofino in May of 2012 and aboriginal communities worry the same could happen in a proposed new farm in the area.
Photo Credit: Chuck Stoody/Canadian Press

Native community opposes fish farm

Members of a west coast aboriginal community vow they will risk arrest rather than allow an open-net salmon farm north of Tofino, on Vancouver Island. Members of the Ahousaht First Nation say they have set up a blockade at the site of the new farm owned by Norwegian-based Cermaq.

The community believes this is the start of fish farm expansion in the area and it predicts a four-fold increase in the industry over the next 15 years. It opposes the farms because fish bred in open nets can develop diseases that can be passed to clam beds or to wild salmon travelling to and from spawning rivers.

Categories: Environment & Animal Life, Indigenous, Society
Tags:

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.