Cohen Commission

From Cohen Commission Final Report:

“I am also satisfied that marine conditions in both the Strait of Georgia and Queen Charlotte Sound in 2007 were likely to be the primary factors responsible for the poor returns in 2009. Abnormally high freshwater discharge, warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures, strong winds, and lower-than-normal salinity may have resulted in abnormally low phytoplankton and nitrate concentrations that could have led to poor zooplankton (food for sockeye) production.” (Volume 3, page 59)

“…data presented during this Inquiry did not show that salmon farms were having a significant negative impact on Fraser River sockeye…” (Volume 3, page 24).


The Cohen Commission is a Judicial Inquiry looking into the decline of the sockeye salmon in British Columbia’s Fraser River. There are many areas of interest that the Commission will investigate including, but not limited to; the impact of environmental changes along the Fraser River, marine environmental conditions, aquaculture, predators, diseases, water temperature and other factors that may have affected the ability of sockeye salmon to reach traditional spawning grounds or reach the ocean. The final report is to be submitted on or before June 30th, 2012. 

As aquaculture is noted as an area of interest, Aquaculture Awareness members took the opportunity to make public submissions directly to the Commissioner, Justice Bruce Cohen, when he visited Campbell River on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010.

Brad Boyce, Fish Health Biologist, Sea Lice Management on Salmon Farms

Barry Milligan, Veterinarian, Fish Health Management on BC Salmon Farms

Greg Gibson, Biologist, Benthic (Sea Floor) Management on BC Salmon Farms

Kevin Onclin, Biologist, (Cohen Commission Submission)


UPDATE (September 2011) - The evidentiary hearings on aquaculture are now complete. Unlike many of the anti-salmon farming groups and individuals attempting to spin the hearings, Positive Aquaculture Awareness has compiled all transcripts of the hearings for your convenience. Please visit this page to hear what was really said at the Fraser River Sockeye Cohen Commission in regards to BC salmon farms: http://www.farmfreshsalmon.org/blog/cohen-commission-evidentiary-hearing-transcript-links

Cohen Commission Salmon Farm Reports can be viewed here


Update (October 2012) - The Cohen Commission Judicial Inquiry looking into the decline of the sockeye salmon in British Columbia’s Fraser River has submitted their Final Report.

The report makes 75 recommendations to improve the future sustainability of the fishery.

Cohen Commission: Final Report

 Cohen Commission, October 31, 2012

“I am also satisfied that marine conditions in both the Strait of Georgia and Queen Charlotte Sound in 2007 were likely to be the primary factors responsible for the poor returns in 2009. Abnormally high freshwater discharge, warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures, strong winds, and lower-than-normal salinity may have resulted in abnormally low phytoplankton and nitrate concentrations that could have led to poor zooplankton (food for sockeye) production.” (Volume 3, page 59)

“…data presented during this Inquiry did not show that salmon farms were having a significant negative impact on Fraser River sockeye…” (Volume 3, page 24).

Final Report Link:
 
Archived Cohen Commission Website:

Cohen Commission News Release:
Cohen Commission’s final report says Fraser River sockeye salmon face an uncertain future
(Vancouver) The Hon. Bruce Cohen today presented to the public the final report of his Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River, titled “The Uncertain Future of Fraser River Sockeye.” ...

...In “The Uncertain Future of Fraser River Sockeye,” Commissioner Bruce Cohen discussed the causes for the decades-long decline in productivity of Fraser River sockeye salmon and makes 75 recommendations to improve the future sustainability of the fishery.

“Some, I suspect, hoped that our work would find the “smoking gun” – a single cause that explained the two-decade decline in productivity – but finding that a single event or stressor is responsible is improbable,” said Cohen...
Click here to Read the Full News Release.

BC Salmon Farmers News Release:
Salmon farmers support Cohen Commission report
 BCSFA, Thursday, November 1, 2012
The final report of the Cohen Commission into the Decline of Fraser River Sockeye lays solid ground for protecting the future of the iconic salmon run, said BC’s salmon farmers today...
Click here to read the full News Release.

Cohen Commission - Aquaculture Evidentiary Hearing Transcript Links
http://www.farmfreshsalmon.org/blog/cohen-commission-evidentiary-hearing-transcript-links

Cohen Commission - Blogs by Positive Aquaculture Awareness
http://www.farmfreshsalmon.org/blog/3