British Columbia, Canada-based Grieg Seafood BC has submitted applications to Canadian regulators for additional salmon farms in the Clio Channel, the traditional territory of the Tlowitsis Nation.
Grieg Seafood BC, a subsidiary of Bergen, Norway-headquartered Grieg Seafood, initially announced the move in June, and said it was the result of several years of discussion between the Tlowitsis Nation and Grieg Seafood. The farms are a part of the first nation’s goal of “economic self-determination," according to a statement from the Tlowitsis Nation.
In addition to the new farms, the partners have also entered into a net-washing agreement, the statement said.
“We have built a solid relationship with Grieg Seafood over more than 10 years of many meetings, visiting their farms, and travelling to Ottawa, Vancouver, and Victoria to speak to regulators about our views of aquaculture,” Tlowitsis Nation Chief John Smith said.
Smith said the Tlowitsis made the decision to be closer involved in the salmon-farming industry after observing its practices.
“Our Guardians are on the water monitoring the farm activities as well as our members employed by Grieg,” Smith said. “We have taken a lot of time to learn about the industry and our partner before we decided to become involved more directly and for us, adding more farms in our territory is the clear way forward. Our net-wash service company will also benefit from additional work for our members at a new farm.”
Grieg Seafood Managing Director Rocky Boschman said partnerships like the one it has establish with the Tlowitsis are a key part of the company’s operations in the region.
“Like so many other changes to our operations during our 20 years operating in B.C., integrating Indigenous businesses into our core operations is a transition that reflects the work we have started doing around reconciliation, and how we create even more opportunity than before, with our First Nations partners,” Boschman said.
Boschman called Smith is "a strong advocate for his community.”
“We appreciate his regular advice and input and are committed to meeting his expectations of a respected relationship,” Boschman said.
Photo courtesy of Grieg Seafood BC
