Mowi Canada West seeks injunction to prevent layoffs, destruction of more than 12 million fish
March 9, 2021
Campbell River, BC. Mowi Canada West (MCW), BC’s largest salmon aquaculture company, today filed an application in Federal Court of Canada for an injunction against federal government actions which are compelling the Company to commence with layoff notices to 168 employees and the killing of more than 12 million healthy juvenile Atlantic salmon (at various stages of the lifecycle). This is the equivalent of more than 235 Million meals lost.
“We were shocked last December 17th when Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan announced the end of salmon farming in the Discovery Islands effective June 2022,” says Dr. Diane Morrison, Mowi Canada West Managing Director. “Without those farms we will lose about 30 percent of our annual production, resulting in devastating cuts to our workforce. These decisions mean that we have 12 million healthy, growing fish with no place to grow out to market size.”
“The damage done to our Company, to our people, to our investment, and to the communities in which we operate is clear and immediate and a direct result of federal government decisions.
“Despite repeated requests Minister Jordan has not spoken with us since her decision,” says Dr. Morrison. “We would have preferred to avoid legal action but the government’s refusal to consider alternative plans or even have a dialogue has forced our hand.”
In February, the Company was forced to kill 925,000 healthy salmon as a result of the Discovery Island decisions. Mowi Canada West is asking the Court to suspend two aspects of the Discovery Island Policy in respect of two licensed fish farm sites – Phillips Arm and Hardwicke.
On January 18, 2021, Mowi Canada West, Cermaq, and Grieg the operators of other Discovery Island farms, filed an application in Federal Court seeking a ruling to overturn the Minister’s December, 2020, order.
About Mowi Canada West:
Mowi Canada West operates salmon farms and processing plants in British Columbia, Canada, where 500 people raise 40,000 tonnes of sustainable Atlantic salmon each year. Mowi Canada West is part of the Mowi ASA group, the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon.
Further information at mowicanadawest.ca
Media Contact:
Dean Dobrinsky
Mowi Canada West
Dean.Dobrinsky@mowi.com
250-830-4527