Gunner Point and Yorke Island Fish Farm Zoning Denied

The Strathcona Regional District has denied zoning for a new open net-cage salmon farm at Gunner Pt in Sunderland Channel. The zoning bylaw was voted down at fourth reading despite attempts by the regional directors to attach conditions to the application at third reading which included transitioning the site to closed containment once the technology becomes commercially available. The regional directors cited a lack of documentation provided by the proponent, Grieg Seafood Ltd., regarding the closed containment condition, as well as concerns about the appropriateness of this remote location for a closed containment salmon farm.

Even one new fish farm on this restricted salmon migration corridor would have meant increased pressure from sea lice on wild juvenile salmon, including Fraser River Sockeye. Georgia Strait Alliance applauds the SRD for recognizing the importance of wild salmon to BC's economy and for encouraging the responsible development of a closed containment industry.  

For more information:

• March 23, 2010 Press Release - SRD denies zoning of Gunner Pt at fourth reading of bylaw.  
• June 25, 2009 Press Release - SRD approves zoning of Gunner Pt with conditions, denies zoning of Yorke Island site at third reading of bylaw.
• Georgia Strait Alliance's submissions to the April 14 and May 27, 2009 public zoning hearings.
• Read all public submissions to the 2009 hearing committee.
• First Nation comment on fish farming in Georgia Strait and proposed new farms at Gunner Pt and Yorke Island.
• Georgia Strait Alliance's submission to the first SRD zoning hearing for these same two fish farms, held in 2006. This zoning application was turned down.  
• Find out more about the industry's plan for massive expansion.