Salmon farmers take issue with letter
by Mary Ellen Walling, North Island Gazette, May 05, 2011
BC’s salmon farmers take our responsibility to the ocean we farm in and communities we operate in very seriously. Part of that responsibility requires correcting misinformation such as that put forward by Mary Russell in her latest letter to the North Island Gazette.
Concerns about the possible impacts of escaped farm salmon on the natural environment has been studied and followed for many years: and have shown that, in the extremely unfortunate incidents of escapes, farmed salmon are both poor competition with no wild foraging skills but are also unsuccessful at colonizing and unable to interbreed with wild Pacific salmon. That said, farmers never want to lose any of their livestock – and it’s a key priority for all of us to eliminate escapes completely.
Ms. Russell’s comments about the Fisheries Act are also misleading. We are not allowed to cause harm to the wild environment or release harmful materials to the ocean. Wording in those cases were used to address the difference between farming and fishing under the Act, which challengingly doesn’t mention Aquaculture once. The challenge of applying a Fisheries Act to Aquaculture was made very obvious as the new DFO regulations were drafted last year, and our companies are advocating for the creation of an Aquaculture-specific act.
Our farmers are coastal residents and neighbours, who care about the environment and protection of BC’s coast. With companies that listen, a public that engages and scientists and regulators who determine strong guidelines, we can all work together productively.
Mary Ellen Walling
Executive Director, BCSFA
Campbell River
The Letter above was submitted in reponse to the following:
David seizes sling against fish farms
by Mary Russell, North Island Gazette, April 28, 2011
In the battle for our wild salmon beset by salmon farms, Mainstream Canada is suing Don Staniford for his unfavorable ads, citing "defamation", and seeking "punitive damages". It is splendid that Staniford returns, "Bring it on! Bring it on!" A David against Goliath, may justice and commonsense stand by him and our courageous Alexandra Morton seeking nothing but the truth and to act on it wisely before it is too late.
Mary Ellen Walling (BC Salmon Farmers Association) toots how responsible her industry is. Really? Responsible, when it alone is set above the laws of the Fisheries Act, and allowed to "deposit deleterious substances into the ocean", and to "destroy fish habitat"? While millions of escapees doing fine at sea are now breeding in our rivers with successful offspring having full potential to out-compete our native runs for food and habitat? Responsible?
No industry and no government giving a hoot for our wild salmon would behave like our government and this corporate factory farming industry is behaving. Both are an absolute disgrace to our province and our country and must shape up or ship out! Please folks, vote onside with our wild salmon and what counts.
Mary Russell
Port Hardy
