The Federal Court has denied a request to review the decision not to renew the licenses of several fish farms in British Columbia.
The ruling, made on Friday, comes after a group of fish farm operators filed an application for a judicial review of the decision made by Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan in December 2020.
The operators argued that the decision was made without proper consultation and that it would have a significant impact on their businesses and the local economy.
However, Justice Cecily Strickland dismissed the application, stating that the minister had followed the proper process and had the authority to make the decision.
In her ruling, Strickland noted that the minister had considered various factors, including the potential harm to wild salmon populations, before making her decision.
The decision not to renew the licenses of the fish farms was met with mixed reactions. While environmental groups and Indigenous communities welcomed the move, the fish farm operators expressed disappointment and concern for their livelihoods.
The fish farms in question are located in the Discovery Islands, an area known for its wild salmon populations. The decision not to renew their licenses means that the farms will have to cease operations by June 2022.
This ruling is seen as a victory for those who have been advocating for the removal of fish farms from the area, citing concerns about the spread of diseases and parasites to wild salmon populations.
The federal government has also committed to transitioning all open-net fish farms in British Columbia to closed containment systems by 2025.
The ruling by the Federal Court is a significant development in the ongoing debate over the impact of fish farms on wild salmon populations and the environment. It remains to be seen how the affected fish farm operators will respond to the decision and what the future holds for the aquaculture industry in British Columbia.
