Atlantic salmon escape

[flyfishforfun]

Another impact from fish farms...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...rm-escape.html

[tbar24]

haha have i told anyone how im really not a fan of fish farms? the same thing happened on lois lake in the spring with a whole pen of atlantics escaping, i think they need to find better nets

[knotnot]

Hi

Stating the obvious, but isn't it "illegal" to introduce non native species to local waters ?



knotnot

[flyfishforfun]

Yes it is. According to the federal Fisheries act, its illegal to harmfully alter, disrupt or destruct fish habitat. I'd say that introducing a non native competitive fish would fall into that category.

Also, when these farms introduce diseases that destroy wild stocks, they absolutely have to be charged. It is only a matter of time until that happens.

[Maverick]

them farms are the root of all evil. although i like there rainbows every once in a while although they're very destructive to. i feel hane punishments are i order for reoocuring offenders like the farms in our town. i understand things happen but it shouldnt over and over again.

[cfused]

Being from the prairies it was only recently I became aware of the salmon farm controversy. Since then I have followed and researched this topic with alot of interest.There has been alot of discussion on various forums about this.However deep the impact these farms have on the environment, there is no doubt that they do impact it and only a fool would try to downplay it and propose more farms be created. Introduction of a foreign species into the habitat usually has some consequence and it usually isn't positive.We have found this out with plants to animals. DFO has really dropped the ball on this one, as have alot of politicians. To be honest this entire scenerio with the salmon is to say the least disturbing.

[nebc]

Part pf the issue in BC is that it is not DFO giving the permits out. Used to be our Ministry of Agriculture and Foods...now that is a conflict if I ever saw one...
I do not think this is still the case, but DFO had best stop the political interference and take control of more of the legislated responsibilities that have been assigned to provinces in a meaningful manner. This is the case with a lot of the Fisheries Act of Canada.

[btree]

1) Land based farming is far worse for the environment and for fish and water than any aquaculture.

2) The atlantic salmon escapement is a bit of a moot issue
----Atlantics have not established runs when we tried to do this on purpose a few decades ago in rivers like the Cowichan. More recent escapements have not established runs in Pacific rivesr, so that point is of no real concern.
----Atlantics do not interbreed with any Oncorhynchus, so that point is of no concern.
----Most Atlantics which are caught after escaping tend to have empty bellies. Basically, they have been conditioned to eat food pellets and haven't a clue how to eat what wild fish eat, so there is little to no impact as far as competition goes.

So what are we all so worried about??? I have no real idea, except that the news media here has done a great job of stirring up unfounded fears. Again guys, if you read something in the paper, do your own research into the matter and find out the real issues at stake here.

(If they find something about pathogens or impacts of lice that can be repeated and tested repeatedly, then I'm all ears, and I'd like to get in on the science...but till then)

I'd be more interested and concerned about the idiots who brought bass and perch to the island. IDIOTS!!! There are plenty of invasive non-native species that regular joe is bringing in to their local stream or pond that is messing things up. Then there is the genetic drift issues associated with "enhancement".

I cant wait till some fool thinks it would be really cool to be able to catch Northern Pike in the Fraser River. I hope someone smacks that future idiot upside the head and right into the river.

All that being said, we do have to get things sorted out with aquaculture here to watch other things that are more pressing, but lets figure out the real issues here.

I figure the 3+ million people, cows and pigs that live, eat and poop into the Fraser watershed are a much bigger concern - perhaps there should be a judicial inquiry into that!!! It certainly would address much bigger issues than the escapement of a benign group of fish that will die off and have about as much an effect on the ecosystem as me tossing an apple core out the window as I drive down the road.

[knotnot]

Hi

Btree you made a lot of good points and I see where you are coming from.

We do not like the idea of farm salmon and do not eat it in our house.
I have done my research with info from Alexadra Morton and others.

Our family tries to eat free range and organic with a decent amount of wild game. Though not always possible or maybe not properly regulated.

It is true that industry and development and people in general have done more damage to the salmon/steelhead etc. and their runs than the farm fish could do.

There should be a judicial inquiry into all aquaculture, agriculture, prov. and fed. fisheries as well as industry and overall development in relation to the environment.

Funny how serious the Conservation Officer was about making sure my licence had steelhead , classified waters added too it. Where a week before my complaints about a neighbour building a house ,on a ravine, fell on deaf ears at City Hall and Metro Van. He used construction garbage as back fill for leveling his backyard. ( drywall, plywood, wire, paint cans, siding). The ravine has stream which flows into Bear Creek then to the Serpentine.

knotnot

[Trout Tramp]

I generally try to stay out of the politically charged dialogue on the forums , however I could not ignore this one.
btree, I have enjoyed reading a number of your posts and have found you to be a knowledgable and insightful fellow angler , but I cannot agree with all of what you say on this post.
I do agree that the risk of an Atlantic Salmon population establishing itself on the west coast is minimal at best , but living organisms can mutate and adapt. If that occurrs we are in trouble.
The bigger threat of fish farming is the fact the majority of farms are located on the migration routes of our wild salmon.It has been proven that disease and , in particular , SEA LICE infestations are significant issues related to farms that adversley affect our wild stocks. This has been proven time and again in european and scandinavian countries where fish farming has a far greater history. There is no doubt that it negatively impacts wild stocks. Politicians will say there is not enough data to support the negative impact theory: they said the same thing about cigarette smoking 30 years ago.
As for the statement that they are too accustomed to eating pelletts to know how to eat in an uncontrolled environment , hatchery raised and released salmon, trout and steelhead seem to prove that theory incorrect.
Fisheries biologists from Scotland and other Scandinavian countries have come over here to implore our government to stop fish farming after seeing first hand , the effect it has had.
I do agree with your points that we need to do more to clean-up and preserve a declining Fraser watershed , that is a disgrace. And that bigger penalties are required to deter the morons that come to B.C. and plant invasive species.
As anglers we should all be doing whatever we can to preserve our great natural resource that is on the verge of collapse.
I certainly hope I didn't offend you , as that was not my intent.