Cermaq’s Illegal Operations: RCMP Arrest Indigenous Land Defenders Protecting Wild Salmon Days after Cermaq Kicked out of Kingcome Inlet August 25, 2016

From: Sacheen Seitcham [mailto:mamazonscreations@gmail.com]
Sent: August 24, 2016 1:42 PM
Subject: cermaq arrests ahousaht

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cermaq’s Illegal Operations: RCMP Arrest Indigenous Land Defenders Protecting Wild Salmon Days after Cermaq Kicked out of Kingcome Inlet

August 25, 2016

On August 23rd, 2016, RCMP arrested and charged 4 members of the Yaaskwiis Warriors; Lennie John, Sacheen Seitcham, Joe James Rampanen, and Havanna Couture, on unceded and unsurrendered Ahousaht Territory after a non-violent interaction with Cermaq fish farm employees who were towing smolts to the Cermaq Dixon Bay fish farm site. A court date has been set for November 7th 2016 in Tofino B.C. These arrests come only days after Cermaq’s eviction from Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Territories (Kingcome Inlet) on August 18th, 2016.

The Yaakswiis Warriors, made up of Ahousaht members and supporters have come together to stop Cermaq farms from operating in their Territories without the free, prior and informed consent and consultation of the Ahousaht People. In September 2015, the Warriors stopped Cermaq from anchoring a new fish farm in Ahousaht waters, since then, the Yaakswiis Warriors have continued to monitor Cermaq’s activities and have made it clear that Cermaq is not welcome and is operating illegally in Ahousaht waters.

“We, the Ahousaht people, have not been consulted and have not consented to the presence of Cermaq on our Territories. Any agreements that have been made or signed without our consent between Cermaq and any organizations claiming to represent us are not valid and we do not recognize. We will continue our defence of our food sources, our Lands and Waters and our Future Generations. The RCMP should not be interfering in these matters, by doing so, it is clear that they have overstepped their role by acting as enforcers for corporations against and in violation of the clear rights we have as members of the Ahousaht Nation to our Territories.” Yaakswiis Warriors.

The Cermaq Dixon Bay farm site in Ahousaht waters, was shut down in 2012 and over half a million fish were culled as a result of an IHNin virus outbreak. Fish farms are actively disrupting and destroying wild salmon populations through the spread of disease, lice and the dissemination of antibiotics, feed and other chemicals into the waters they operate in. This year’s Fraser river sockeye salmon run is the lowest recorded in history and communities with fish farms in their waters have seen the reduction and destruction of not only their wild salmon populations first hand but of other sea life as well. The continuing movement against fish farms is growing, with Indigenous Nations leading the way, asserting rights and title in an effort to protect their Territories and the remaining wild salmon population in the face of corporations and a Provincial government refusing to recognize the same.

“We the Yaakswiis Warriors and our supporters and allies will continue in our fight to protect wild salmon. The Government of British Columbia and its Premier Christy Clark, along with Cermaq and the MHSS Maqtusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society have no consent, no jurisdiction and no right to endanger wild salmon or Indigenous food security. We cannot have any more farms in the waters and in fact we want Cermaq to cease and desist immediately and take all 17 open net fish farm pens out of Ahousaht waters.”

Contact:

Sacheen Seitcham mamazonscreations@gmail.com

Lennie John 2502661348