BC Aquaculture-Wild thing turns strange

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All these news items are on the Atlantic Salmon Federation's website asf.ca

In the past week, there have been significant happenings regarding the governance of the aquaculture industry and the need to better protect wild salmon from salmon farming impacts.

A decision by the BC Supreme Court that the province did not have the right to manage aquaculture, and had 12 months to oversee the transfer jurisdiction back to the Federal government, will have repercussions for east coast salmon aquaculture operations. This judgement that determined that the BC provincial government does not have the authority to regulate fish farming or sign MOUs will set a precedent that will cascade across the country.

You can read more on this judgement. Also download the full legal decision.

A long-awaited report by the Pacific Salmon Forum was issued on Feb. 6. It criticized governance of the salmon resource, and made detailed recommendations, including closed containment, for salmon farming. The 95-page report can be downloaded at asf.ca

On Feb. 5, for the first time, Canadian First Nations launched a class action lawsuit over the impacts of salmon farming on wild salmon migrating through the Broughton Archipelago in BC. Read more and see map on asf.ca

ASF's aquaculture policy calls for a moratorium on the use of transgenic salmonids in the aquaculture industry until a full evaluation of their potential impacts is conducted and appropriate safeguards developed. However yesterday Aqua Bounty in Prince Edward Island on Canada's east coast says it is close to getting U.S. FDA approval for its genetically-modified salmon.

For an overview, facts, links to our policy, and scientific reports on ASF's concerns regarding the interactions of wild and farmed salmon, go to our Aquaculture Issues page of asf.ca
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[lskiles]

I am so glad to hear that someone is fighting the battle against the fish farms - even if it is in Canada.

I think that fish farms are a blight. They produce inferior fish and when they escape, and they do escape, into the wild they weaken the wild population.
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[salmonthink]

Thanks for the comment - As mentioned, the situation is entirely in upheaval in British Columbia. Also, check the 95-page report of the PACIFIC SALMON FORUM. It gives detailed recommendations with regard to supporting the Pacific wild salmon populations.

I am on the East Coast of Canada, and the BC Supreme Court decision is likely to have a major impact in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, assuming it is upheld in the Supreme Court of Canada, where the matter is likely going next.

In NB there are few wild salmon left in the southern part of the province, although the Miramichi and other rivers are still wonders -20% of all Atlantic salmon returning to North America go to the Miramichi watersheds.

In Newfoundland, where aquaculture is just expanding, it is likely to lead to a reduced impact on some very important salmon runs. We shall see.
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