Mowi files injunction against Canada’s federal government

Mowi Canada West, the largest salmon farmer in British Columbia, last night filed an application in the Federal Court of Canada for an injunction against a federal government decision which it says will force it to kill millions of fish.
Mowi said the government was compelling it to commence with layoff notices to 168 employees and the killing of more than 12 million healthy juvenile Atlantic salmon (at various stages of the lifecycle).
Dr Diane Morrison, Managing Director, Mowi West, said: “This is the equivalent of more than 235 million meals lost.
“We were shocked last December 17th when Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan announced the end of salmon farming in the Discovery Islands effective June 2022,.
She continued: “Without those farms we will lose about 30% of our annual production, resulting in devastating cuts to our workforce. These decisions mean that we have 12 million healthy, growing fish with no place to grow out to market size”
“The damage done to our company, to our people, to our investment, and to the communities in which we operate is clear and immediate and a direct result of federal government decisions.
“Despite repeated requests Minister Jordan has not spoken with us since her decision,” says Dr. Morrison. “We would have preferred to avoid legal action but the government’s refusal to consider alternative plans or even have a dialogue has forced our hand.”
In February, Mowi said it was forced to kill 925,000 healthy salmon as a result of the Discovery Island decisions. Mowi Canada West is asking the Court to suspend two aspects of the Discovery Island Policy in respect of two licensed fish farm sites – Phillips Arm and Hardwicke.
On 18 January, 2021, Mowi Canada West, Cermaq, and Grieg the operators of other Discovery Island farms, filed an application in Federal Court seeking a ruling to overturn the Minister’s order of December 2020.

Author

Keep up with us

Posted in
Fish Farmer March 2024 - cover

The March 2024 issue of Fish Farmer is out now online