A report commissioned by the BC Salmon Farmers Association says the proposed federal ban on marine net-pens in British Columbia would cost taxpayers billions and have 鈥渟evere consequences鈥� for Canada鈥檚 economy, Indigenous communities, and food security.

The report by economics firm RIAS Inc. says ban would result in $9 billion of 鈥渦nnecessary costs鈥� to taxpayers to close the sector and subsidize companies with 鈥渦nproven closed containment technology.鈥�

It says such losses include $133.6 million per year to First Nations, the loss of more than 4,500 jobs and the elimination of 50,000 tonnes of farm-raised salmon.

In June, the federal government announced that it would delay the closure of open net farms until 2029 to facilitate a transition to closed containment systems.

Open-net fish farms off B.C.鈥檚 coast have been a major flashpoint, with environmental groups and some First Nations saying the farms are linked to the transfer of disease to wild salmon, while supporters say the farms鈥� risks are unproven or overblown and cite economic costs if operations are phased out.

The farmers association says in a news release that federal and independent scientists have concluded the farms pose little risk and that removing the farms would not affect the population of wild Pacific salmon.

It says the association and Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship are now urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to 鈥渃onsider a more realistic, no-cost-to-taxpayers alternative to transition that would achieve the same outcome as a ban without imposing devastating impacts on the sector, on First Nations鈥� rights, and on coastal communities in B.C.鈥�

It says B.C.鈥檚 salmon farmers have also 鈥渂een committed to continuous innovation.鈥�

鈥淢andating the sector to transition to unproven technologies in a short time frame ignores the willingness of B.C. salmon farmers to administer alternative innovations that can achieve the same outcome,鈥� a news release from the association says.

鈥淚nnovative solutions need to be tailored to unique coastal characteristics and aligned with the goals of the rightsholder First Nations who host salmon farms in their territories.鈥�