With civic elections just two months away, Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention delegates are on their best behaviour. But those hoping for an outbreak of verbal violence are anxiously waiting for a discussion of Hazleton's fish farming resolution, scheduled for Thursday morning. The resolution calls on the provincial government to "place a moratorium on any expansion of open-net farming on the BC coast until the final report of the BC Pacific Salmon Forum is completed." The forum, announced by government in December 2004, is developing policy recommendations to protect and enhance wild salmon stocks, enhance confidence in fisheries and aquaculture management. It received $5 million in funding from the government but is independently chaired by former federal fisheries minister John Fraser. Our operatives anticipate aquaculture-friendly communities will push back against the resolution. The following is a complete copy of that document.

B127 FISH FARMING Hazelton

WHEREAS viable wild salmon stocks are a vital component for the economic, cultural and social health of many communities in BC;

AND WHEREAS the provincial government estblished the BC Pacific Salmon Forum with a $5 million budget in 2004 as an independent, balanced and impartial body with a mandate to analyze scientific and socio-economic issues in order to develp policy recommendations to protect and enhance the viability of wild salmon stocks and their economic, social and environmental benefits to all British Columbians, especially in regards to the issue of open-net fish farms:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to place a moratorium on any expansion of open-net fish farming on the BC coast until the final report of the BC Pacific Salmon Forum is completed.

NOT PRESENTED TO THE NORTH CENTRAL MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION

UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: No recommendation

UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:

The Resolutions Committee notes that the BC Pacific Salmon Forum was established in December 2004. Previous federal Fisheries Minister John Fraser chairs the forum, which also includes six community, fishery and First Nations representatives on the Forum Board.

The purpose of the Forum is to provide recommendations and options, with a goal to meeting three objectives:
1) protect and enhance the viability of wild salmon stocks and their economic, social and environmental benefits to British Columbians;
2) increase public confidence in fisheries management generally, and in aquaculture in particular, in the maritime environment; and
3) enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of aquaculture for all coastal communities.

The Forum is to decide what priority issues it believes need to be addressed and what research is needed. It will be reporting to the public and, at the same time that it reports to the public, it will launch its report with a standing committee of the Legislature. However, it is not known when the Forum Board is expected to report out, so the Committee is not clear how long a moratorium would be in effect and what the implications would be for the fish farming industry and affected communities.

Since the Committee is not aware of the reporting date for the Forum, it is not able to recommend if such a waiting time is feasible.