qathet Regional District’s board of directors will consider getting a copy of a provincial inspection report regarding the Lois Lake fish farm. The board will also consider enquiring to the appropriate bodies regarding its impacts on water quality.
At the May 3 committee of the whole meeting, Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne brought forward the motion to look into Lois Lake. He said the regional district, as an organization, is not getting into some aspects, such as genetics of escaped fish, which are provincial and federal jurisdictions, but the Electoral Area B and C official community plans referenced a 2009 water study for potential future growth and development south of town.
“In that study it identifies Lois Lake as one of the main sources of water for south of town, and if there is what is being reported in the news as significant pollution into the lake, I think that is something we have to take very seriously and be concerned about,” said Gisborne. “This motion isn’t saying we do any action. If we get the report that is being referenced in the news, then we can get more information and proceed from there.
“I want to find out more information, because if it is impacting potential future potable water south of town, I’d like to know more about what is going on.”
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said he supported the recommendation.
“I’ve come to be aware that this particular operation has new ownership so it might be a good time to establish a new relationship, even though it’s federal aquaculture,” said Lennox. “I’ve been paying attention to the local open-pen fish farming issue. This is another way to have the most pertinent information and be aware of what is happening in our area.”
The committee passed a motion requesting the provincial inspection report and enquiring to appropriate bodies about impacts on water quality.
