Remember when we (you know, the government) said we were gonna do that thing?

Details: Published on Thursday, 20 February 2020 07:02; Written by editor

Remember when we (you know, the government) said we were gonna do that thing? r1 ... r33

Viruses. Infestations. Mass die-offs.

We live in a strange age of scourges in our modern, globalized world. Though it's not coronavirus we've got on our minds right now, but growing concern about the impacts of salmon farms off the B.C. coast.

We recently reported on new research that found a Norwegian strain of piscine orthoreovirus present in the majority of Clayoquot Sound salmon farms.

During the course of her reporting, a small red flag caught the attention of Sarah Cox: what was that the federal minister just told an industry publication? Did she mean fish farms will not be removed from the B.C. coast by 2025?

But wait, wasn't that a major election promise of the Trudeau Liberals?

Sarah followed up on the story and published a doozie this week, detailing government's dramatic backpedal from a commitment made as concerns grow about the negative effects of open-net pens on declining wild salmon stocks.

As always, we've got lots for you this week, including a look back at some of our most recent reporting on the aquaculture industry.

Thanks for reading,

Emma Gilchrist
Editor-in-Chief

A Nova Scotia ‘gold rush’ means more threats for at-risk Atlantic salmon, even in areas that are meant to be protected

By Zack Metcalfe

As another new gold mine is proposed in the province, conservation groups are concerned its construction could decimate protected habitat for at-risk species in an area long-renowned for its angling and spawning habitat. Read more.

Living close to major roads leads to higher risk of Parkinson’s and dementia: UBC study

By Karin Olafson

New research analyzing more than 650,000 individuals in Vancouver found proximity to sources of air pollution can affect neurological health — but green space has protective effects. Read more.

Trudeau government backpedals on election promise to phase out B.C. open net salmon farms by 2025

By Sarah Cox

Conservation groups say wild stocks can’t wait any longer for ocean-based salmon farms to be removed, while a new federal study finds land-based fish farming technologies are ready for commercial development in B.C. Read more.

What's that? You want more salmon stories? Okay.

Check out this in-depth, stomach-churning piece on the salmon farm industry's losing battle with sea lice.

Also, B.C. has proposed some changes to the way fish farms are licensed in coastal waters, especially in the territories of First Nations. Read our explainer here.

Dramatic wild salmon declines have prompted the Dzawada’enuxw nation to file a legal challenge against Atlantic salmon being farmed in Pacific waters . The Narwhal in the world

Thanks to Media Indigena for the shoutout to The Narwhal! Kim Tallbear from the University of Alberta highlighted Carol Linnitt's coverage of the links between Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and resource extraction.

And we were *thrilled* to hear that Kim Tallbear has been following our coverage.