Canada's federal fisheries minister, Joyce Murray, has decided not to renew licences for 15 open-net Atlantic salmon farms in the Discovery Islands area off Vancouver Island due to concerns for the wild salmon population, which is in decline. The decision has been made despite potential job losses and economic impact on coastal communities. Murray emphasized that wild salmon face various threats, including climate change and habitat degradation, and that removing these farms is a step towards lessening their challenges. The government is now developing a plan to transition away from open-net farming in coastal B.C. waters by 2025. This plan, as per Murray's mandate from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, aims to introduce Canada's first Aquaculture Act while addressing concerns about potential risks to wild salmon from these farms. The reaction to this decision includes support from B.C.'s First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance but pushback from the Coalition of First Nations Finfish Stewardship and the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association, who warn of significant job losses and economic harm.