What is the Ahousaht Nation's stance on open-net fish farms?

The Ahousaht Nation, led by hereditary chief hasheukumiss, is in favor of keeping the 12 open-net fish farms located in their territory, as they provide jobs and investment for the community.

How is the Ahousaht Nation working with Cermaq, the operator of the fish farms?

The Ahousaht Nation has a protocol agreement with Cermaq that helps guide the company's operations. They have also hired their own biologist to verify that Cermaq is successfully reducing sea lice and other pathogens on the farmed fish.

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Ahousaht Nation Fights to Keep Fish Farms in Their Waters

Q: What is the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance's view on the federal government's plan to ban open-net fish farms?

Bob Chamberlin, the head of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, argues that the science is clear that fish farms harm wild salmon stocks. He believes the federal government must consider the views of all B.C. First Nations with fishing rights, most of whom support the ban.

9 Sep

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Summary

Ahousaht Nation benefits from 12 fish farms in their territory
Farms provide jobs and investment for the nation
Ahousaht working with Cermaq to reduce sea lice and pathogens

As of September 9th, 2025, a hereditary chief with the Ahousaht Nation is urging the federal government to reconsider its plan to ban open-net fish farms along the B.C. coast by 2029. The Ahousaht Nation, located near Tofino on Vancouver Island, currently hosts 12 fish farms operated by the Norwegian company Cermaq.

These farms have been a boon for the Ahousaht Nation, providing around 50 jobs and generating revenue that the nation's economic development body uses to invest in other projects. The chief, known as hasheukumiss, argues that removing the farms would be "really detrimental on many different levels" for the Ahousaht people.

To address concerns about the environmental impact of the farms, hasheukumiss says the nation has worked closely with Cermaq to implement strict protocols and monitoring. They have hired their own biologist to verify that the company is successfully reducing sea lice and other pathogens on the farmed fish. The chief believes ongoing innovation can further mitigate the risks to wild salmon.

However, not all First Nations agree. Bob Chamberlin, head of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, argues the science is clear that fish farms harm wild salmon stocks. He believes the federal government must consider the views of all B.C. First Nations with fishing rights, most of whom support the ban.

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