Sum of impact

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The B.C. Aboriginal Fisheries Commission passed a resolution demanding an independent environmental assessment of the impact of fish farms on wild salmon, other marine resources and the environment. Further, the resolution states that no new farms or expansions to existing fish farms should be permitted until the review is complete. First Nations people and non-governmental representatives met in Nanaimo July 23 for an emergency meeting of their coastal caucus. The main focus of the meeting was the concern that a moratorium on the expansion of salmon pen aquaculture would be lifted. This was coupled with reports about the epidemic spread of sea lice to wild salmon runs. The commission takes the position that the fish farms are to blame for the sea lice found on wild salmon stocks in proximity to fish farm pens.