Jeremy Dunn, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers’ Association, has said he will step down from his post to join Marine Harvest Canada’s public affairs division.
Dunn had led the salmon-farming industry advocacy’s five-person team for the past four years, but at the start of May, he’ll replace Ian Roberts, Marine Harvest’s current director of public affairs. Roberts will transfer to Marine Harvest Scotland.
“The past four years … has been an incredible experience,” Dunn said in a statement, adding, “This experience has led me to want to become involved on a deeper level, and I’m excited to join Marine Harvest.”
A search for the B.C. industry’s next executive director voice is on, but it might not be an easy hiring process. A certain measure of courage is warranted, as the B.C. association sits astride the frontline of a bitter dispute between British Columbia’s salmon-growing industry — backed by science, its employees and three levels of government — and a range of unpredictable and sometimes threatening opponents citing their own, not always applicable science and blaming the industry for a host of ills.
The industry, citing best-available science, has indicated it is mindful of “needing to do it right” but also aware of its progress on environmental issues. Its opponents, both well-meaning and nefarious, have tended to front environmental concerns even while hailing from the professional lobby industry or competing commercial interests.
Read B.C. moves to stop primary plant effluent
Read Ottawa offers C$20 Mn for cleaner harvest
Read Court hears Cermaq, Marine Harvest bids to ban protesters
