Governments and communities around the world say no to open-pen salmon farming
Governments act against open-pen fish farming
-
Finfish farming is prohibited in Alaska by the 16.40.210 Alaskan statute.
-
Washington State has banned all commercial net-pen fish farming.
“’There is no debate that there are impacts (from net-pen aquaculture),’ Franz [outgoing Commissioner of Public Lands] said. ‘Avoiding impacts is our legal and moral responsibility ... I ask why did we ever allow this ... I am asking the board to learn from the past and the effects of our decision’.”
-
“Oregon lawmaker introduces bill to ban fish farming in state waters.”
-
Combined with the state’s rigorous environmental and leasing standards for marine finfish, the legislation effectively prevents the industry from operating in state waters:
“Existing law provides for the regulation and development of aquaculture and requires the owner of each aquaculture facility to register with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Existing law makes it unlawful to spawn, incubate, or cultivate any transgenic species of finfish belonging to the family Salmonidae anywhere in this state, except as specified. A violation of the Fish and Game Code is a crime.”
-
Senators reintroduce fish-farm-ban legislation.
“Alaskans are deeply invested in protecting the health of our marine ecosystem and maintaining the sustainability of our world-class fisheries,” Sullivan said in a statement. “That is why I’m introducing legislation with Senator Booker to ban risky fish farming operations in federal waters that could jeopardize the health of our fish species and undermine Alaska’s coastal fishing communities.” – Senator Sullivan
“Industrial finfish aquaculture operations are like underwater factory farms, polluting our oceans and spreading potentially deadly diseases and parasites to wild fish,” Booker said in a statement. “These operations use millions of pounds of wild fish to feed the caged fish at an unsustainable rate of consumption that depletes marine resources in traditional fishing areas. As we make decisions that will impact the future of our oceans, we should not go down the unsustainable road of allowing commercial finfish aquaculture in our federal waters. Instead we should chart a different path built around the health of wild fish stocks and ocean ecosystems.” – Senator Booker
-
-
“Responsible, Realistic, and Achievable: The Government of Canada announces transition from open net-pen salmon aquaculture in coastal British Columbia”
“Canada will ban open-net pen salmon farming in British Columbia coastal waters in five years, the government has announced, a decision that has been welcomed by environmental groups but opposed by the aquaculture industry.”
“Opinion polls have shown a majority of residents in British Columbia support ending open-net salmon farming, while more than 120 First Nations in the province have shown support for land-based closed containment fish farms.”
-
On 1 July 2021, the Danish government ratified two new laws banning the expansion of existing and establishment of new open-pen fish farms. Denmark predominantly farmed rainbow trout (a salmonid species) in open pens.
-
In March 2021, councillors on the Isle of Arran unanimously rejected a large salmon farm project off their coast.
-
In July 2021, the Chilean Supreme Court rejected an appeal by a salmon company that wanted to install its open net pens in the Kawésqar National Reserve.
-
“Develop a plan, in consultation with industry, scientific and community stakeholder, to reduce inshore fin fish farming sites, with priority given to ceasing operations in sensitive, sheltered and biodiverse areas.”
Recommendation 3 of the Legislative Council Sub-Committee Report on Finfish Farming in Tasmania
United Nations special rapporteur calls salmon farming “main environmental threat”
-
“UN special rapporteur calls salmon farming a “main environmental threat” facing Chile.”
“A United Nations special rapporteur has recommended that Chile halt further salmon aquaculture expansion pending an independent scientific review of the industry’s adverse environmental impacts.”
-
“[…] in the Faroe Islands, the local environmental NGO [FNU Føroya Náttúru- og Umhvørvisfelag], claims the continuous and highly unsustainable growth of the industry destroys natural environments and sustainable uses of the fjords, and exerts a strong influence on the politics in the Islands despite local opposition to the salmon farming projects.”
Click here for more information on organisations and people against open-pen salmon farming in the Faroe Islands.
-
● “More than 46,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Icelandic government to outlaw open net-pen salmon farming in the country’s fjords.”
● “This country [Iceland] shows the highest opposition to open-net salmon farming ever recorded says poll”
“The survey revealed broad opposition across various demographics, including age, income, gender, and political affiliation, with consistent disapproval noted nationwide.”
“More than 65% of Iceland’s population opposes open-net fish farming, according to a new survey conducted by Gallup.”
● The Guardian has seen evidence of targeted pressure against Icelandic environmental scientists, although a fear of reprisal prevents many from speaking out.
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
-
● “In January 2024, seven national environmental NGOs, representing hundreds of local groups and highlighting the growing concern of communities along the country’s coast, petitioned the Norwegian government for a rapid phase-out of open net-pen salmon farming.” Reference
● “The [reputation of the] aquaculture industry is doing very badly.”
"’What is quite discouraging to see is that the oil and gas industry, agriculture, shipping, groceries, the pharmaceutical industry and the financial industry are perceived to have greater social value than the aquaculture industry,’” says Veronica Pedersen, the leader of the seafood team in the communications agency Kruse Larsen that has mapped the reputation of nine different industries in Norway. 13 June 2024
● “[Norway’s] Former Environment Minister Ola Elvestuen […] wants to set a date for when all farmed fish must be kept in closed facilities.”
“All fish farming must go into closed containment. There is no way around that, says Elvestuen.” 27 August 2024
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● Norges Miljøvernforbund (the Norwegian Environmental Protection Association)
“For over 30 years, the Norwegian Environmental Protection Association (NMF) has been a driving force in highlighting the serious environmental problems associated with open-cage aquaculture, and the consequences such an operating method has for nature and our biodiversity.”
● Natur og Ungdomcalls for a boycott of farmed salmon. Natur og Ungdom (“Nature and Youth”) are a nationwide Norwegian youth environmental organization at the forefront of fighting for the climate and the environment since the 1960s.
● Norwegian Salmon Association “Salmon farming destroys the environment. Enough is enough! Don’t buy farmed salmon!”
● SalmonCamera (NGO) “The purpose of SalmonCamera is to highlight all man-made problems for Norway’s wild salmonids.”
● Nei til åpne oppdrettsanlegg i Ofotregionen (“No to open fish farmsin the Ofot region”)
-
Organisation opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● Ingen burfisk i havet (“No Caged Fish in the Sea") is a "Danish interest organisation fighting for fewer fish in sea cages through information and dialogue."
● The Danish Sports Fishing Association says no to finfish farming.
-
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● “Living Oceans has been working since its inception in 1989 to find solutions to the harm caused by open net pen salmon farms.”
● “Clayoquot Action [non-profit organisation] is a Tofino-based conservation organization committed to protecting the biocultural diversity of Clayoquot Sound.”
● Swanson Occupation (political organisation): “Our organization is dedicated to the protection of wild salmon and advocates for the removal of open net-pen fish farms.”
-
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● The Healthy Bays Network: “We are Nova Scotia's public voice in opposition to the open net-pen salmon feedlot industry, advocating for healthy bays full of wild marine life and free of pollution.”
● Eastern Shore Residents against Open Salmon Farming: “This group was initiated for residents/concerned folks who are opposed to the open salmon farms proposed for the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. The groups intent is to provide a place to share information, notification of updates, and also to organize for opposition. This is our environment, our future, our way of life! Let's unite to protect the shore!”
● Protect Liverpool Bay, NS: “We call on the Nova Scotia government to stop the expansion of open net pen salmon facilities in the waters of this Province, and start listening to local communities’ concerns about industrial marine finfish aquaculture.”
-
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
“Don’t Cage Our Oceans is a coalition of diverse organizations working together to stop the development of offshore finfish farming in the United States through federal law, policies, and coalition building.”
-
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● Fundación Centinela de Patagonia; Environmental conservation organisation – Protecting the special marine environment of Chiloé and Chilean Patagonia. “We seek to reduce anthropogenic impacts on marine life and their ecosystems, with a particular focus on the salmon farming industry. To fulfil this goal we use scientific research, public outreach, and education to reach a variety of audiences.”
● Salvemos la Patagonia (“Let's save Patagonia”)
“Campaign to remove salmon farming from the protected areas of Chilean Patagonia, without relocation.”● Áreas Protegidas Sin Salmoneras (“Protected areas without salmon farms”)
“Community campaign to have protected areas without salmon farms in Chilean Patagonia.”● No Salmoneras en el Canal Beagel (“No Salmon Farms in the Beagle Channel”)
● Patagonia Sin Salmoneras (“Patagonia without salmon farms”)
● Fuera Salmon (“Salmon Out”)
-
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● WildFish (a science-led conservation charity):“Following twenty years of unsuccessful calls to reform the industry, WildFish concluded that, to protect wild fish and the environment in Scotland, the open-net salmon farming industry must be closed.”
“But the movement against open-net salmon farming, both in the UK and internationally, is growing – from local communities tired of being made empty promises, while the places they call home are trashed for profits funnelled to international corporations overseas; to the growing number of chefs who are no longer serving open-net farmed salmon in their restaurants.”
● Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots (ISSF) calls for: “The Scottish Government to commit to a closed containment and emission free salmon farming industry by 2030.”
● Stop Salmon Farming, For Good: “A coalition of conservation and community groups from around the world, spearheaded in Scotland by Corin Smith, has been helping our coastal communities resist unwanted salmon feedlot expansion.”
● Coastal Communities Network: “CCN’s mission is to connect and strengthen community-led efforts in protecting, restoring, and sustainably using Scotland’s marine resources for the benefit of people and nature. We firmly believe that power lies within local communities to drive meaningful change and make a lasting impact on the health of our coasts & seas.
“Together, members of CCN address a wide range of pressing issues, including salmon farming, marine plastic pollution, and the restoration of marine habitats.
-
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● Salmon Watch Ireland:“The salmon farming industry has by its very nature caused environmental compromise to the marine environment and certainly damaged wild salmonids.”
● Ireland Against Salmon Farms
● Gathering Ireland Against Salmon Farming
● Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages is a voluntary movement set up to oppose the unsustainable and environmentally damaging salmon farming industry in Irish waters.
-
“New research reveals an overwhelming number of Tasmanians want reduced inshore salmon farming consistent with recommendations from a recent Parliamentary inquiry, amid high levels of concern for the health of Tassie’s coastal environment.”
“3 in 4 (76%) Tasmanians are concerned about the health of Tasmania’s coastal environment”
“More than 7 in 10 (72.1%) Tasmanians support the Parliamentary Inquiry recommendation to reduce inshore salmon farming sites, with priority given to ceasing operations in sensitive, sheltered, and biodiverse areas.”
Organisations opposed to open-pen salmon farming
● Bob Brown Foundation Inc.(Environmental Conservation Organisation): “Join us in demanding the removal of industrial fish farms from Tasmania's waters immediately.”
● Environment Tasmania is Tasmania's peak environment body lobbying State Government on salmon farming issues.
● Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) is a community organisation in southern Tasmania. Their objective is to promote sustainable, responsible fish farming, regulated by transparent government and commercial processes.
● The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection (TAMP) is a group formed by recreational fishers, commercial fishers and community groups from around Tasmania. TAMP is fighting to protect Tasmania’s wild fisheries and pristine coastline.
● No Fish Farms in Tasmania's East Coast Waters are petitioning the House to call on Government to complete thorough independent research in relation to the negative effects of salmon farms on pristine marine environments.
● Tasman Peninsula Marine Protection demands “Protect our seals and stop cruelty inflicted on them by the salmon farmers.”
● NWTAS for CLEAN OCEANS (no salmon feedlots)
● Save Bass Strait: “NW Tasmania is being targeted by big industry for in ocean salmon farming. This will destroy our beautiful oceans, load our homes & drinking water with pollutants. It will bring 24/7 noise, lights and stink. SAY NO to private corporations destroying our environment & local beauty.”
● LOWCoAU: Leave our Waters Collective Australia, Environmental Conservation Organisation
“The Toxic Truth About Fish Farming”● Keep Our Coast Clean - No Salmon Farms
-
● Oceana: the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.
“Carnivorous ocean pen aquaculture [like salmon farming], however, requires chemicals and feed, releases pollution, and risks fish escapes, as does “ranching” – the capture and captive fattening of wild fish. Not only do those practices threaten the ocean’s health, they actually remove food from our system.”
● Global Salmon Farming Resistance: Non-profit organisation of NGOs, activists, scientists and individuals united to free the ocean from open net salmon farms.
● Off The Table: “Join the movement of chefs, restaurants, writers, caterers and food lovers, and help us take farmed salmon off the table.” “More than 350 chefs, restaurants, community groups, charities and NGOs are supporting WildFish’s Off the table campaign, which asks chefs and restaurants to take farmed salmon off their menus.” Reference
People and organisations oppose open-pen salmon farming
Apologies if organisations have inadvertently been omitted from the above list. Please feel free to alert SFF about additional organisations opposed to open-pen fish farming by sending a message via the Partners page.