Petition: protect bc's wild salmon
Protect Wild Salmon: Remove Marine-Based Fish Farms Now
Stand with the BC Greens and the Young Greens to demand that Premier David Eby and the provincial government take action to protect BC’s wild salmon by removing harmful marine-based fish farms from coastal waters.
Petition Text
To the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, in Legislature Assembled:
The petition of the undersigned, [Name], of [City or Town], states that:
Whereas:
- Wild salmon are a keystone species essential to BC’s ecosystems, food security, Indigenous cultures, and local economies;
- Marine-based salmon farms on the West Coast of Vancouver Island are causing disease, spreading parasites, polluting coastal waters, and killing large numbers of fish, threatening wild salmon populations;
- Marine-based salmon farms negatively impact coastal employment, including tourism, sport fishing, commercial fishing, and Indigenous livelihoods;
- British Columbia is the last jurisdiction on the west coast of North America still allowing marine-based fish farms in the ocean;
- Over 120 Indigenous Nations and 75% of British Columbians support the removal of marine-based fish farms;
- The federal government has committed to removing marine-based salmon farms by 2029, but immediate provincial action is needed to protect wild salmon today;
Therefore, your petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House introduce legislation to:
- Direct the provincial government to stop issuing sea lice pesticide permits for fish farms that impact wild salmon and other marine species;
- Revoke seabed tenures for all marine-based fish farms in British Columbia waters;
- Urge the federal government to accelerate the removal of marine-based salmon farms and transition to safer, land-based or closed containment salmon farming methods;
- Protect coastal communities, Indigenous Nations, and local economies by prioritizing wild salmon protection over industrial aquaculture.
Dated this [Day] day of [Month], 20[Year].
Protect BC’s wild salmon
Wild salmon are more than just a species—they are the backbone of BC’s coastal ecosystems, economies, and cultures. Yet marine-based salmon farms on the West Coast of Vancouver Island are threatening their survival.
Marine-based fish farms are polluting coastal waters, spreading disease and parasites, and killing large numbers of fish. These farms are not just an environmental problem—by driving down wild salmon stocks, they hurt local tourism, commercial and sport fishing, Indigenous food security, and the overall health of our coastal communities.
BC is the last jurisdiction on the west coast of North America that still allows open-net fish farms in the ocean. Across the province, 75% of British Columbians and over 120 Indigenous Nations want these farms removed. The provincial government must not ignore this overwhelming demand any longer.
The federal government has committed to removing all open-net fish farms by 2029—but the sooner we get them out, the better. The time for bold, immediate action is now.
We are calling on Premier David Eby and the provincial government to:
✅ Stop issuing sea lice pesticide permits for fish farms that harm wild salmon and other marine life, including Grey Whales.
✅ Revoke provincial seabed tenures for all marine-based fish farms in BC waters.
✅ Push the federal government to accelerate the removal of these farms and transition to safer, land-based systems.
✅Protect the jobs, livelihoods, and ecosystems that depend on wild salmon, from tourism and sport fishing to Indigenous food security.
Our coastal communities don’t have time to wait. Wild salmon are not just a resource—they are our heritage, our economy, and our future.