Canada Extends Deadline for Ending Open-Net Salmon Farming in BC to 2029

The Canadian government has extended the deadline for the phase-out of open-net salmon farms in British Columbia to 2029, allowing the industry five more years to transition to land-based operations. Originally promised by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for 2025, the extension aims to provide a more 'responsible, realistic, and achievable' timeline for farmers. Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced stricter conditions for renewed licenses and emphasized the importance of protecting wild Pacific salmon, which are crucial to First Nations and the regional ecosystem. The transition plan will also address economic supports and management practices to mitigate the impact on the $1.5 billion industry and the 4,700 jobs it supports. Conservation groups welcome the move, though some industry representatives express concerns about the feasibility of such a transition within the given timeframe.