"Sea lice have always been around. I’ve seen it when I was a young kid, because I’ve been a fisherman all my life. The same amount of lice were on the fish in the farms as they were forty miles away from the site."
But the NDP's Shane Simpson says most first nations don't support fish farming. He was part of a legislative committee that looked into the issue.
"I’m absolutely sure there was no discussion with those first nations communities who all came to us and said they wanted no fish farms in the north."
Starr says the farms will bring much-needed employment to his community.
Kitasoo first nation welcoming decision on fish farms.
CANADA - The Kitasoo first nation is welcoming a government decision to approve two new fish farms in its territory. Band manager Percy Starr says environmental concerns, including sea lice, are exaggerated.