First Nations Issue Urgent Call to Mark Carney: Averting Disaster for B.C.'s Wild Salmon

A powerful collective of British Columbia’s First Nations is issuing an urgent appeal, calling upon Mark Carney, the esteemed UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance and former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, for a pivotal meeting. Their mission is clear: to safeguard the rapidly dwindling wild salmon populations of B.C., a species vital to their culture, sustenance, and very identity, by championing a swift and definitive transition away from environmentally damaging open-net salmon farms.

For generations, wild salmon have been the lifeblood of coastal Indigenous communities.

Yet, these iconic fish are now teetering on the brink, largely due to the pervasive threat posed by open-net fish farms. Indigenous leaders argue that these farms, which hold vast numbers of Atlantic salmon in pens directly in migratory paths, are hotbeds for disease and parasitic sea lice, which then spread relentlessly to vulnerable wild salmon smolts, decimating their numbers before they even reach the open ocean.

Chief Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk Nation, and president of the Coastal First Nations, a collective of nine nations, underscores the gravity of the situation.

“We need a timeline for transition, and we need a clear and transparent process,” Slett emphasizes, highlighting the frustration over perceived delays and lack of concrete action from the federal government. The promise of phasing out open-net farms by 2025, made by Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray, feels increasingly distant without a detailed, province-wide blueprint.

The Wild Salmon Alliance and Coastal First Nations, representing a significant Indigenous voice, are not just raising concerns; they are demanding a paradigm shift.

They envision a future where aquaculture thrives in land-based, closed-containment systems, offering a sustainable alternative that protects wild salmon and respects Indigenous territories. This approach would eliminate the direct interaction between farmed and wild fish, drastically reducing the transmission of pathogens and parasites.

Mark Carney's involvement is critical because of his unique position at the nexus of finance and climate action.

First Nations believe that Carney, with his influence on global financial institutions, can help illuminate the inherent financial and environmental risks associated with continuing to invest in and operate open-net salmon farms. They argue that these operations represent a stranded asset risk and are incompatible with sustainable investment principles.

Dallas Smith, spokesperson for the Wild Salmon Alliance, points out the discrepancy: “Here we have a federal government that says they want to transition out of open-net pens, but at the same time, they are allowing the industry to continue as if nothing is going to change.” This sentiment reflects a broader call for accountability and alignment between federal policy and actual practice, especially concerning the 79 farms in the Discovery Islands where a transition plan was announced.

The plea extends beyond environmental protection; it is a profound call for reconciliation and respect for Indigenous sovereignty.

For First Nations, the health of wild salmon is inextricably linked to their cultural survival, food security, and inherent rights. A robust wild salmon population supports traditional harvesting practices, ceremony, and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge that defines these communities.

The federal government has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to protecting wild salmon and working with First Nations.

However, the urgency articulated by Indigenous leaders suggests that promises must now translate into immediate, tangible actions. A meeting with Mark Carney could provide the high-level leverage needed to accelerate this critical transition, ensuring the long-term health of B.C.’s iconic wild salmon and upholding the rights and well-being of its First Nations.