MARINE HARVEST MOVES TO EVICT FIRST NATIONS

MARINE HARVEST MOVES TO EVICT FIRST NATIONS

Desperate to resume operations despite warnings from First Nations and Province of BC

November 11 Marine Harvest served papers to initiate the eviction of three Musgamagw women who are occupying the Midsummer Island salmon farm. Molina Dawson, Lindsey Mae Willie and Karissa Glendale remain on the farm, which has been occupied for 79 days.

Marine Harvest will appear in court at 9:45am, November 14 at The Law Courts, 800 Smithe St, Vancouver to petition the court for an injunction to evict these women from this part of their territory, where their ancestors have lived for thousands of years. The provincial tenure that allows Marine Harvest to use this site is due to expire June 2018. Marine Harvest is here without permission from this nation. The Musgamagw have said no to the industry for over 30 years.

Premier John Horgan warned the industry not to restock farms on expiring tenures in this territory. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, warned Marine Harvest that the renewal of the salmon farming tenures here in this territory called the Broughton Archipelago is “not guaranteed”.

Marine Harvest was actively restocking this site in late August, despite demands by this nation that all salmon farmers remove their fish and leave the area. As a result, the farm was occupied and restocking halted since September 8. Six of the ten pens remain empty. Marine Harvest is growing impatient and still wants to complete the restocking despite warning from First Nations and the province of BC.

“We are not leaving until they leave,” states Molina Dawson.

Footage: https://vimeo.com/242393039

For more information:

Carla Dawson Voyageur – 204-292-1098

Molina Dawson – 778-348-1976

Alexandra Morton 250-974-7086