Our Wild Salmon and Fish Lice January 2018
Over several years there has been much discussion regarding the effect of open net Fish Farming of Salmon on our BC Coasts. It has long been suggested that there is a very real relationship between salmon farming and disease caused by the industry. One particular disease is the devastation apparently caused by Sea lice.
Pressure groups have long been lobbying the Federal Government and our own Provincial Government to step in and address this problem. There has been considerable resistance to this for some time. Here is an open letter from a Mr. Noel Murphy which offers considerable weight to the issue, Perhaps we can now move forward:
OPEN LETTER TO ANGLERS, CONSERVATIONISTS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS
Most of you are aware of the steady decline of our salmon stocks in recent years. While some natural causes are partly responsible, man-made open-pen fish farms are suspected of having the greatest single impact to the decline of our fisheries. The following examples are noteworthy:
• Global Warming - Dry summers result in extremely long spells of low water-levels in the rivers and creeks. This makes it challenging for juvenile salmon trying to survive under these adverse conditions. • Questionable management of our fisheries, at the Provincial level. • Relaxed enforcement of Fishing Regulations. • Foreign owned pen-net fish-farms, many in critical areas of our coastal waters.
While some issues are more difficult than others to correct, what we really need is a genuine and concerted effort on the part of DFO to address our concerns. This department should assume responsibility and be required to provide accountability and transparency.
I suggest to DFO that they take a look at other North American management policies, and compare them to our own. The Alaskan Fisheries Program is a recommended model and worth reviewing.
Of the many issues impacting our salmon, the greatest danger by far (in my opinion) is posed by open-net fish farms. Primarily Norwegian owned, this farming concept has quite a reputation for decimating local wild fisheries wherever their fish farms have been implemented. Their unfavourable history is well recorded and documented. Originating in Europe, the wild salmon fishery in Norway has been decimated. Coastal inlets in Ireland that harboured fish farms, lost their runs of salmon and sea trout, while estuaries free of fish farms were less affected. Scotland’s salmon fisheries suffered tremendous losses, with the blame placed directly on the open-net fish farms.
Why are we in British Columbia allowing the risk of having our irreplaceable wild stocks wiped out? Replacing our salmon stocks is not as simple as building more hatcheries and producing more fish. Specific gene pools are irreplaceable. Gene pool diversity in the salmon populations are critical to the species survival. We have lost some genetic strains in the past; the Fulford Creek run of Coho salmon in Salt Spring Island for one. This unique run of fish was wiped out in the 1980’S, a prime example of mismanagement.
Why is DFO so protective of fish farms? Fish farms and wild salmon are in direct conflict. There is an old Hebrew (biblical) expression, “you cannot serve God and Mammon (money)”. Neither can DFO claim to serve the interests of the wild salmon, while protecting the interests of
Marine Harvest and other fish farms related activities. These are strictly business people, concerned only with their “bottom line”, and protecting the interests of their shareholders. What about the rights of our indigenous people? Their future access to fish for both food and ceremonial purposes appears to be threatened. Where is DFO’S responsibility to ensure that this does not happen? Surely you are not telling them to “Buy Farm Fish!” Why is DFO preventing the scrutiny of Peer Reviews surrounding the testing for HSMI’s? PEER REVIEWS SHOULD BE OPEN TO SCRUTINY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. TRANSPARENCY IS ALSO REQUIRED. An independent review of this policy is warranted.
We in the sports fishing industry contribute significantly to our provincial economy and should not be dismissed so easily. We are also concerned for the future of our native salmon. Neither should our efforts towards conservation and environmental causes be under estimated. For too long we have had no lobbying power, and therefore we have no voice in matters that affect us. The decimation to our wild fish, resulting from the irresponsible activities of the fish farming industry is far-reaching. Fish farming impacts the livelihood of our industry professionals, (sports fishing shops, charter boat owners, guides etc.) A common aftermath, caused by an industry with a horrific reputation for fish and habitat decimation on a worldly scale and very little credibility.
Marine Harvest is a foreign conglomerate that appears to have very little regard for others, including the people of this province. Their disregard for our wild salmon goes without saying. Now it is up to us to protect our fish and our waters; they are our children’s inheritance. I personally have lost confidence in DFO’S ability to protect or manage our fishery, I assure you that the same opinion is widely held throughout the sports fishing industry. Perhaps we are expecting too much from a reformed Commercial Fisheries lobby group!
We cannot let our salmon disappear like the cod fish in Eastern Canada, I feel that we are very close to that right now. Removing the open-net fish farms, would (in my opinion) be a step in the right direction. A dedicated fish management/protection department, with substantial input from the sports fishing industry, should be considered. Listen to Joni Mitchell’s song: “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’VE GOT ‘TILL IT’S GONE.”
Most of us anglers are conservationists and release most of our catch. We are also stream keepers, and are witnesses, first hand, to the dramatically reduced salmon returns to our spawning streams. It is time to for change, while there are still some salmon left to preserve and protect.
Of the many critics and testimonials relating to the state of our salmon fishery and related issues, I refer you to the following links:
http://salmonfarms.advokit.ca
http://mailchi.mp/watershed-watch/salmon-news-weekly-salmon-media-round-up-jan-32018?e=2796db5f76
Part One: http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?id=198175;article=10231 Part Two: https://thetyee.ca/News/2018/01/11/DFO-Gut-Rules-Protecting-WildSalmon/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=110118
https://watershedsentinel.ca/articles/wild-salmon/
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/12/14/Fish-Farms-Expose-Wild-Salmon-Deadly-Virus/
Please read all pertinent information and show your support for eliminating fish farms by writing to your local MLA, requesting the implementation of new regulations that will preserve and protect our salmon fisheries before it’s too late.
Regards,
Noel Murphy
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