[BCFSN] A position paper on organic aquaculture

Wed Jun 10 18:38:05 EDT 2015

Hello all,

My apologies for not being able to chime in earlier as I have been occupied
(and off-line) the past few days with the process of moving.

Thank you all for your concern. I agree that this is an extremely important
issue to get clarity around and discuss further. I will follow up with
Tides Canada staff to get some additional information, discuss further with
the Steering Committee and report back. I also thought it might be
important to provide a little additional context here, not in lieu of still
needing to dig deeper and follow up on this conversation, including at the
upcoming Gathering.

As Lucy has spoken of in regards to the Canadian Biotechnology Action
Network, the BCFSN is a project on Tides Canada’s Shared Platform
<http://tidescanada.org/approach/shared-platform/>, and are not funded by
Tides Canada. As such I can so that in no way has the decision-making
process of the BCFSN been affected by this relationship. Indeed, I am sure
all of us would be concerned if it did.

I know, and understand, there are numerous serious concerns around
aquaculture of various forms, whether in the ocean or on land. I do know
Tides Canada has a Salmon Aquaculture Innovation Fund
<http://tidescanada.org/programs/salmon-aquaculture-innovation-fund/>,
which focuses "on advancing aquaculture solutions that protect wild salmon
and the marine environment" through "research and demonstration projects of
land-based, closed containment aquaculture systems and associated new
technologies that offer alternative models to traditional open-net
aquaculture." I will work to find out more information on Tides Canada's
involvement beyond this, included acting as a sponsor for the Aquaculture
Canada conference, and will report back.

As Dawn has highlight, it is important to clarify the relationships, and to
be extremely careful in how we may be associated with contentious issues,
impacts and strategies.

In good food,
Brent

Brent Mansfield
Director, BC Food Systems Network
director at bcfsn.org
604-837-7667

On Tue, Jun 2, 2015 at 9:09 AM, Lucy Sharratt - CBAN Coordinator <
coordinator at cban.ca> wrote:

> Dear Folks, CBAN is a project of Tides Canada Initiatives also, though it
> is now worded as “a project on Tides Canada’s shared platform”. There is a
> distinction between Tides Canada and the shared platform that was until
> recently called Tides Canada Initiatives (and Sage Centre before that). I
> suggest you ask Tides for a fulsome description of this distinction,
> particularly with a view to understanding and communicating the connection
> (or lack thereof) to this aquaculture work of Tides. CBAN would also
> benefit from any of these further clarifications. Projects in the shared
> platform are not funded by Tides Canada, for example. Best regards, Lucy
> Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
>
>
> On Jun 2, 2015, at 12:10 AM, Dawn Morrison <dmo6842 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Jodi,
> I appreciate knowing your experiences with Tides have been favourable in
> the past. However, the associations to aquaculture is highly  contentious
> in Indigenous communities and has potential to impact our involvement. I
> feel it needs clarification since the Working Group on Indigenous Food
> Sovereignty has clear guidelines on sponsorship and associating ourselves
> with contentious issues, impacts and strategies. I think it is just
> important to clarify the relationships.
>
> Dawn
>
> Dawn Morrison,
>
> BC Food Systems Network
> Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty
> C/O 555 East 55th Avenue
> Vancouver, B.C, V5X 1N6
> Mobile: 778.879.5106
> Email: dmo6842 at gmail.com
> Website: www.indigenousfoodsystems.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 1, 2015 at 5:54 PM, <jodikoberinski at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I am not on the board - I have had really great experiences with Tides
>> Canada in the past and have found them to be a good partner in our work.
>> For what that is worth...
>>
>> With respect
>> Jodi Koberinski
>>
>> Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Koodo network.
>>   *From: *linda DESORMEAUX
>> *Sent: *Monday, June 1, 2015 16:42
>> *To: *BCFSN list
>> *Subject: *[BCFSN] The BCFSN is a "Tides project"?
>>
>> I've attended The gathering twice only in the past, but the BCFSN has
>> marked me in a profound way. There are few days in the year where I don't
>> make food- or environment-related choices rooted in what I've learned, or
>> been exposed to, at The gathering, through workshops and while chatting at
>> meal time. (The list-serv too is awesome.) It's a grassroots
>> powerhouse working on the front lines of food policy and rights, dedicated
>> to quality food for all. You, the women (mostly!) and men of BCFSN, are an
>> inspiration, as you aim to do what is needed to feed people, the most noble
>> of tasks. This is done in a respectful, friendly, loving and inclusive way.
>>
>> So...I checked the BCFSN website just now, and I was concerned when I
>> read the very first line of the home page:
>>
>> "BC Food Systems Network (BCFSN), a project of Tides Canada, works to
>> create healthy, just and sustainable food systems in British Columbia by
>> strengthening connections, nurturing capacity, and supporting joined-up
>> food policy at all levels."
>>
>> I've been on a few boards and I understand the need to get funding to
>> survive. I've even been on a board that accepted money from Tides. It was a
>> means to an end for us. I personally wouldn't trust Tides "too much". And I
>> know all about the bad rap Tides got from Harper & co. I guess they do some
>> good things, but I'm not convinced it's always for the general good. This
>> especially hit home when I found out they sponsored a conference on
>> Aquaculture (see below). Sorry, I'm not into fish farms, whether they're in
>> the ocean or on land. I am into wild salmon, period!
>>
>> When our organization accepted money from Tides, we made it clear we
>> would never be their mouth piece and our decisions were always based on our
>> own guidelines, on what we as an organization thought was right. If I
>> recall correctly, we never even mentioned we got funding from them in any
>> public document. We are now committed to being a crowd-sourced organization
>> so that we don't have to bow to funders' demands. In my opinion, if/when
>> the sh*t hits the fan, it's the BCFSN's grassroots quality that will allow
>> it (and us!) to survive, not its funders, so I hope that aspect never
>> changes.
>>
>> If possible, I'd like to hear from the board if and how the
>> decision-making process of the BCFSN board has been affected by having
>> Tides as a funder? Thanks for your time.
>> ld
>>
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>> Aquaculture Canada 2015 Intro Intro
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-intro>
>> Program
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-program>On-site
>> Registration
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-on-site-registration>Preparing
>> Presentations
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-preparing-presentations>
>> Sponsors
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-sponsors>Company
>> Showcase
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-company-show%20case>
>> Students
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-students>Social
>> Events
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-social-events>
>> Accommodations
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-accommodations>
>> Tours
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-tours>
>>  Location:
>> Nanaimo, BC
>>  Event Dates:
>> 31/05/2015 - 03/06/2015
>>  Status:
>>
>>
>> *Aquaculture Canada 2015: Blue Revolution 2.0,*
>>
>> * Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo, BC, May31st to June 3rd,
>> 2015. *
>>
>> As consumption of farmed seafood surpasses that of captured wild seafood
>> for the first time in global history and we look to feed a population that
>> is estimated to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, “Blue Revolution 2.0”, the
>> theme of this year’s conference, is the next generation of Canada’s
>> aquaculture revolution.  Aquaculture Canada 2015 will provide the
>> opportunity to hear about and discuss recent advances in aquaculture
>> science and practice that will contribute to food security and
>> sustainability for the future.
>>
>> *For Product sponsors please see the social events page here.
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aac-conferences/aquaculture-canada-2015/aquaculture-canada-2015-social-events/>*
>> Platinum Sponsors
>>
>> [image: BCSFA LogoRefresh N1 R4] <http://bcsalmonfarmers.ca/>
>>
>>   [image: Preferred GBC stacked logo with tagline5]
>> <http://www.genomebc.ca/>[image: BC noBPOE Agri H CMYK pos2]
>> <http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Diamond Sponsors
>>
>> [image: TidesCanada Logo PurpleRGB] <http://tidescanada.org/>
>>
>>
>>  Aquaculture Canada 2015 Tours Intro
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-intro>
>> Program
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-program>On-site
>> Registration
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-on-site-registration>Preparing
>> Presentations
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-preparing-presentations>
>> Sponsors
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canad%20a-2015-sponsors>Company
>> Showcase
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-company-showcase>
>> Students
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-students>Social
>> Events
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-social-events>
>> Accommodations
>> <http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca/aquaculture-canada-2015-accommodations>
>> Tours
>> To sign up for any of the tours please contact Joanne Burry via email at
>> jmburry at nl.rogers.com (except for BC Salmon Farmer's Association Tour
>> No. 5)
>>
>>
>> *PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION FOR EACH TOUR THAT YOU ARE SIGNING UP FOR*
>>
>> *1. VIU DEEP BAY MARINE FIELD STATION TOUR*
>>
>> [image: deep bay marine]Delegates will enjoy a scenic one hour bus ride
>> to Deep Bay where t hey will visit the Vancouver Island University Deep Bay
>> Marine Field Station (www.viudeepbay.com).  The Field Station is located
>> on the shores of Baynes Sound, BC’s most important shellfish growing area.
>>
>> The Deep Bay Marine Field Station supports both pure and applied coastal
>> and marine research activities related to: sustainable shellfish
>> aquaculture development; preservation of coastal ecosystems; and
>> inter-disciplinary projects involving local communities. The Field Station
>> is open to the public in order to educate about important issues related to
>> sustainability of coastal communities.
>>
>> The Station hosts viewable wet labs for aquaculture research, aquaria of
>> showcasing marine biodiversity, touch tanks, education facilities and a
>> culinary teaching facility all within one of the greenest buildings in
>> Canada.  Visitors will receive a guided tour of the Facility, its systems
>> and current programs at the facility including the Next Generatio n
>> Shellfish Hatchery Project commencing in 2015.  Refreshments will be
>> provided.
>>
>> Tour Schedule Notes
>> Tour Date:  Sunday May 31st
>> Departure Time (Victoria Island Conference Center): 12:30pm
>> Return Time: Approximately 6:30pm
>> Cost: $30 per person
>> Includes transportation (1hour each way), 2hr tour of facility, trip to
>> farm site and lunch.
>>
>> To sign up for this tour please contact Joanne Burry via email at
>> jmburry at nl.rogers.com
>> Aquaculture Canada 2015 On-site Registration
>>
>> Online registration closed on May 15th. After this date no refunds willl
>> be given and no social event tickets will be available.
>> Registrations will be accepted on-site at the Vancouver Island Conference
>> Centre, Nanaimo, BC from May 31st to June 3rd. The on-site registration fee
>> covers all presentations, special sessions, workshops, posters, and health
>> breaks.
>>
>>   Member registration on-site fee $495  Non-member registration on-site
>> fee $595  Student member registration on-site fee $315  Student
>> non-member registration on-site fee $365
>>
>> Tour Contact Information
>> Contact:  Brian Kingzett (Station Manager): (250) 740-6399; email:
>> Brian.Kingzett at viu.ca
>> Site Address:  370 Crome Point Road, Bowser, British Columbia, V0R 1G0
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>> 2. Use Landwatch for conveying information about (BC's) environmental and
>> land-use issues (e.g. campaign alerts, enviro-news, discussion, etc.).
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>> 3. We encourage the forwarding of published news stories to other
>> listserves, facebook and so on. If there are personal comments originating
>> from LandWatch members included in an email then please delete these
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>
> Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator
> Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
> Collaborative Campaigning for Food Sovereignty and Environmental Justice
> Suite 206, 180 Metcalfe Street
> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 1P5
> Phone: 613 241 2267 ext. 25
> Fax: 613 241 2506
> coordinator at cban.ca
> www.cban.ca
> https://www.facebook.com/cban.canadian.biotechnology.action.network
> @biotechaction
>
> Join us for the GMO Inquiry 2015! www.GMOinquiry.ca
> Suivez et participez à l’Enquête OGM 2015! www.enqueteOGM.ca
>
>
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>
> _______________________________________________
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