A federal judge in Canada has sided with salmon farmers Mowi, Cermaq and Grieg in their allegations that former Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan breached "procedural fairness" when she decided to shutter 19 salmon farms in British Columbia's Discovery Islands.

Judge Elizabeth Heneghan handed down the ruling April 22, stating she does not agree with the former "minister’s position that the applicants had either constructive or actual notice of her decision regarding renewal of the fish farm licenses."

While it is not quite clear what comes next for Discovery Islands, and whether those licenses can now be renewed, the BC salmon farming industry applauded the legal decision Monday.