BC fish farming policy based on
‘eco-colonialist misinformation’

The spokesperson for a group of pro-salmon farming First Nations in British Columbia has criticised the provincial and Canadian governments for basing decisions about the industry on the “eco-colonialist misinformation” of activists.

Dallas Smith, a member of the of the Tlowitsis Nation who speaks for the Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship (FNFFS), made the comment in an article for Canadian news and opinion website National Newswatch.

“In British Columbia the debate about salmon farming is a heated one, and that debate is mainly held between two contenders: activists and those working in the industry. Meanwhile, the provincial and federal governments stand by and base their decisions regarding the industry on whomever seems to win the debate in the public’s eye, which is usually the activists,” wrote Smith.

Left out

“Until recently, we First Nations have been left out of this conversation. Considering every single fish farm (raising Atlantic, Pacific and non-salmonid species) is located in the traditional territory of a Nation, this exclusion should be alarming or laughable – instead it’s been the norm for decades, and for most industries operating on traditional territories, not just fish farming.

“First Nations are finally speaking out and standing up for our inherent right to manage our territories, and whatever is happening within those territories, including our waterways.”

He added that First Nations had never taken more than needed from the sea. “Once that stewardship was taken away from us by the federal government, many species were over hunted and over harvested, which is where we are today.”

Indigenous-led conservation

Smith’s opinion article has been published during a United Nations biodiversity conference, COP 15, being held in Montreal.

“All eyes are on Indigenous-led conservation efforts to lead biodiversity recovery and protection,” wrote Smith. “This is what some of our First Nations have been trying to do when it comes to wild salmon and ocean protection, while creating sustainable development and economic diversity for our coastal, often remote, communities through salmon farming.

“Those Nations who want to pursue fish farming in our waters should be able and trusted to do so. We have been the stewards of our lands and waters for millennia. We are experts, not sellouts, and we would not put thousands of years of stewardship at risk for short-term monetary gain, despite some activists claiming otherwise.

Self-determination

“When the government works with those activists and their eco-colonialist misinformation rather than us Rightsholder First Nations, they are setting us back regarding reconciliation, self-determination, conservation, and the survival of wild salmon, which is the lifeblood of coastal Indigenous peoples.”

Smith added that First Nations can help protect wild Pacific salmon by offering an alternative to that dwindling resource, and by putting money gained from salmon farming back into wild salmon enhancement and watershed rehabilitation.

“How First Nations choose to weave our futures should be decided in our own coastal communities, not 5,000 kilometres away in Ottawa.

“It is known that when Indigenous Peoples lead the way conservation rates are usually much higher – so let us lead,” concluded Smith.