It was just one sentence about removing open-net fish farms from B.C. waters by 2025.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote it in the Dec. 13 to Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan.

But that one promise provided a long-awaited positive sign for independent biologist Alexandra Morton, and Skwah First Nation elder Eddie Gardner, who have both been fighting for years to see open-net fish farms moved off the migratory routes of Fraser River wild salmon runs.

The PM香蕉视频直播檚 letter pledges to: 香蕉视频直播淲ork with the province of British Columbia and Indigenous communities to create a responsible plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025, and begin work to introduce Canada香蕉视频直播檚 first-ever Aquaculture Act.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 very encouraging news,香蕉视频直播� Gardner said in a phone interview, adding he香蕉视频直播檒l be firing off a letter of congratulations and thanks to the PM, for following up on a campaign promise, as well as to the Province of B.C. and the new Fisheries Minister.

香蕉视频直播淭his will go a long way toward international efforts to restore our wild salmon and to preserve them for the wild salmon economy, and the biodiversity upon which we all depend,香蕉视频直播� Gardner said.

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As one of the founders of the Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance, Gardner has lobbied government, business and the public for years, holding rallies at big box stores to reinforce the idea that open-net fish farming needs to be shifted away from the ocean.

Morton reacted on Twitter with: 香蕉视频直播淲ell, finally a glimmer of hope,香蕉视频直播� and although she envisions a lot of work ahead with the new minister, the PM香蕉视频直播檚 words constitute a 香蕉视频直播減ath香蕉视频直播� to be followed.

An aquaculture representative weighed in as well.

香蕉视频直播淭he Canadian seafood farmers look forward to working with Minister Jordan under her new mandate from the Prime Minister,香蕉视频直播� said Tim Kennedy, president of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance.

The 香蕉视频直播楬igh Level Panel香蕉视频直播� for a Sustainable Oceans Economy, to which Canada香蕉视频直播檚 PM is a signatory, has posited that 香蕉视频直播渢he largest potential carbon reduction gains for food production香蕉视频直播� are in the sustainable expansion of marine aquaculture, he said.

香蕉视频直播淥ur sector is a carbon and sustainable food solution. We are also a great opportunity for Canada香蕉视频直播檚 Indigenous peoples and reconciliation and for good jobs in rural and coastal communities,香蕉视频直播� Kennedy said.

Aquaculture will figure prominently in the global 香蕉视频直播榖lue economy香蕉视频直播� down the road.

香蕉视频直播淭he announcement of Canada香蕉视频直播檚 first Oceans Strategy is very important and seafood farming will play a critical role,香蕉视频直播� Kennedy noted. 香蕉视频直播淲e look forward to discussions with partners in B.C. to develop a responsible plan for the future of salmon farming in the province.香蕉视频直播�

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jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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