Police set the record straight over role in fish-farm dispute
B.C. RCMP say they weren’t “escorting” fish-farm workers who were restocking a farm near Alert Bay on Friday amid an ongoing protest. In a statement released Saturday, police said they wanted to set the record straight over what they called “erroneous information” about their role in Friday’s events, when Marine Harvest Canada’s (MHC) Viktoria Viking visited the Port Elizabeth farm.
“For clarification, the RCMP is not taking part in the ongoing work being done by the private fish-farm company and at no time did the RCMP escort the vessel into the area,” the statement said.
“We were made aware that the restocking of fish was to be occurring yesterday, Oct. 13, and we are also aware there are people who oppose the restocking.”
The statement said “the RCMP are impartial” in the dispute and they respect the right of individuals to demonstrate and the right of companies to operate. On Sunday, there were still a half-dozen demonstrators camped out near Alert Bay.
Hereditary Chief Ernest Alfred, from the ‘Namgis, Lawit’sis and Mamalilikala Nations, said tensions had eased over the weekend, after the initial team of police, called in by Marine Harvest, traded off with the RCMP’s Division Liaison Team (DLT). Alfred said the DLT team has been more communicative than the “tactical team” demonstrators had spotted.
“It seemed a little excessive,” he told Postmedia News about the Zodiac boats operated by the RCMP.
Demonstrators have been stationed at the Port Elizabeth farm near Alert Bay for months, protesting fish farms and calling for an end to the restocking. Many have also called on Premier John Horgan to pull Marine Harvest Canada’s provincial operating licence, which is up for renewal next year. The company’s federal licence, however, doesn’t expire until 2022.
The firm says it’s not possible to shut down the farm immediately, while their fish are still being cared for. The life cycle of a farm-raised salmon is three years, beginning with a year at a freshwater hatchery.
“We are very willing and wanting to discuss a long-term solution, but also require the appropriate time to ensure we don’t adversely risk our fish, our employees and our business investment in an area that has been operating for 30 years,” said MHC’s managing director, Vincent Erenst, in a statement shared Friday.