Haida Gwaii ocean fertilization project a hard sell

By Nelson Bennett

Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:00am PST

Photo: Phytoplankton blooms via satellite

A controversial ocean fertilization experiment off the coast of Haida Gwaii may well boost salmon stocks, but verifying the levels of carbon sequestration in order to sell carbon offsets would be virtually impossible, according to a carbon expert.

The Haida Salmon Restoration Corp. has come under fire for what is being described as an uncontrolled experiment in ocean fertilization.

Earlier this year, in partnership with maverick American entrepreneur Russ George and with funding from the Old Massett Village council of the Haida First Nation, the company dumped 100 tonnes of…

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First Nations appointments to Pacific Salmon Commission not renewed

First Nations appointments to Pacific Salmon Commission not renewed Monday, January 14, 2013 2:3 PM

VANCOUVER – Aboriginal fishermen say the federal government is shutting them out of fisheries management by allowing the only two First Nations appointments to the Pacific Salmon Commission to lapse.

The joint Canada-U.S. commission was set up as part of the 1985 Pacific Salmon Treaty, and traditionally two of Canada’s eight appointments to the commission are aboriginal.

One of those appointments, Saul Terry, saw his term expire last March and he was told he wasn’t being reappointed.

The other, Russ Jones, says he hasn’t heard anything from Ottawa…

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Vancouver Island First Nations sign agreement with fish farm

By Nelson Bennett

Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:00am PST

The Mowachaht and Muchalaht First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island have signed an economic cooperation agreement with Grieg Seafood BC Ltd., a Norwegian aquaculture company.

The agreement, signed by the company and Mowachaht and Muchalaht Council of Chiefs, provides for training and economic opportunities for First Nations as well as wild salmon enhancement initiatives.

“The creation of the economic opportunity fund from this agreement will assist our community to implement our five-year economic plan,” Mowachaht Chief Mike Maquinna said.

“Our nation’s priority, however, has always been good environmental stewardship, and this agreement…

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Lake Babine Nation Brings Sustainable Salmon to Vancouver Businesses

Lake Babine Nation Brings Sustainable Salmon to Vancouver Businesses

By Catherine Roscoe Barr

Image by David Roscoe

Vancouver restaurants are serving salmon from Lake Babine’s new fishery
Traditional salmon fishery great for First Nations communities and sustainable businesses in Vancouver
Pacific salmon are a revered symbol of BC’s rugged wilderness and natural prosperity.

There are seven species of Pacific salmon—sockeye, chinook, chum, coho, pink, steelhead and cutthroat (the latter two were formerly classified as trout)—and they are collectively referred to as a keystone species because of their far-reaching impact on the environment (they can travel hundreds of kilometres during their two to eight-year lifespan)…

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CETA and the Atlantic Fisheries

New trade treaties jeopardize our ability to regulate fisheries

by Robert Devet

K’jipuktuk (Halifax) — A new report on the impact of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on fisheries raises many concerns.

The report by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) senior researcher Scott Sinclair adds to the controversy surrounding the free trade deal between Canada and the European Union, which is being negotiated under a shroud of secrecy.

Sinclair, who spoke at the Nova Scotia launch of the report, issued a stern warning: “At stake is the ability of Canadians to pursue public policies that curb the domination of our…

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