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August 26, 2010 | Alert Bay chief irked with DFO: Band says consultation lacking on draft aquaculture regulations (Times Colonist)

A northern Vancouver Island aboriginal chief is accusing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans of insufficient consultation on draft aquaculture rules.

Chief Bob Chamberlin of Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation of Alert Bay said his band’s territory is home to a third of the fish farms found on the coast of B.C., yet the First Nation was consulted for a “whopping three hours total.”

“And this was with three other First Nations in the room at the same time,” Chamberlin said.

The federal government will take over responsibility for fish farming from the province in December, following a B.C. Supreme Court ruling in response to a challenge launched by Alexandra Morton, a biologist and fierce opponent of fish farms.

Fish-farm opponents were hoping the change would mean tougher regulations, but say the draft regulations are too vague, do not require better environmental protection and could lead to expansion of the industry because of a newly streamlined licensing process. …Go to article.