Opportunity to comment on the impending DFO management of Fish Farms

[Dave]

To all of those interested in the impact of Aquaculture, particularly open net salmon farms situated along migration routes, here is an opportunity to let DFO know how you feel...."As a result of Alexandra Morton’s win in the Supreme Court of BC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is required to take over management of aquaculture from the Province this February. To accomplish this, they’ve been given an official mandate to develop new regulations for aquaculture in BC, and are looking for public input." (Wild Salmon Circle) Email the following people if you would like your voice added to the public record:

Trevor Swerdfager, Director General, Aquaculture Management, at trevor.swerdfager@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Gael Shea, Fisheries Minister, at Shea.G@parl.gc.ca

Here is a sample of my comments for the record:

Dear Mr. Swerdfager,

I am writing to you to give you my input on the impending management of Fish Farms in BC by the DFO. I would like you to consider the following points.

I am a stakeholder in this industry. I have been a license holder in the recreational fishery for the past 10 years. My Licence number is: 1-RG-0115625-08. I have contributed untold thousands of dollars to the industry, spread all through the economy through transportation, food, lodging, gear purchases, licence purchases, and the use of guide services. I would conservatively estimate that I have spent $20,000 in the last 10 years.

It is obvious to almost everyone, with the exception of the DFO, that open net fish farms situated along salmonid migration routes are having a serious impact on fish stocks. The position of DFO on fish farms is like the position of the oil industry on climate change - its embarrassing to anyone who has an education.

Wild salmon are far more valuable to the province of BC then farmed salmon. Wild salmon connect us to the sea. Wild salmon taste good. Wild salmon spread their wealth, like all of those who travel, throughout the province. Wild salmon hold cultural significance to anyone who has contact with them - not just first nations. Farmed salmon have none of these attributes. In fact, you could say they are the inverse to that which I have mentioned.

There are no net benefits accrued to British Columbia from open net fish farms. The positive attributes are vastly outweighed by the costs. Again, anyone who is not connected to Aquaculture can plainly see the simple cost benefit calculation, and see how skewed it is.

No one I have ever spoken to, and I have been involved in fishing all my life, has ever given me an explanation as to why DFO promotes this fishery - if you can even call it that. We are left to draw our own conclusion as to why the Department would undermine its own mandate, responsibilities, and credibility by promoting such a marginal industry when if it expended those efforts towards the promotion and protection of wild stocks we would be in very different situation from the one we find ourselves in.

Amongst most stakeholders, the DFO has developed a poor reputation, and has to be seen, especially in light of the fact that yours is an organization that requires guidance from the courts to do your job, as being constantly behind the curve - I think this is a great opportunity for you to do the right thing. Put a complete stop to the situation of fish farms in places where they harm wild salmon, restore the focus of DFO to the restoration and enhancement of wild salmon stocks, and revoke the licences of those open net farmers from Norway who have violated our water for far too long.

I would very much appreciate a response from you noting that you have received my input and that it will make up part of the public record as DFO transitions into managing Fish Farms

[Steve Zissou]

Excellently written, Dave.

I've submitted a letter to Swerdfager as well.

I've worked with DFO on a number of projects in B.C., and I have to say that you are too right in your assessment.

On one occasion, I was working on the environmental components associated with a mine in Northern B.C. In the footprint of the mine's tailings containment facility were a geographically isolated population of Arctic greyling. The plan was to seine net and transport these fish by helicopter to another locale whereby they could rejoin the surrounding populations.

DFO veto'd the entire plan and left the population to die from placer mining influences on the creek.

Last I checked the population no longer existed. A plus for the mining company from a financial perspective, but, ironically, all of those who saved money informed me that they would have rather saved the fish. Industry wanted to do the right thing, but DFO pulled the plug.

It's unfortunate, but so long as we approve of tax reduction schemes in conjunction with privatization, our government will be handcuffed into a perpetual downward spiral of budget slashing. How can we pay for more COs and better DFO practices when we don't have enough money to pay for what we have right now?

Morton is one tough lady...

[Dave]

Most anglers recognize that open net farms are a detriment to our environment and our fishing opportunities - It is not at all clear what DFO will do about this problem going forward. For those of you who follow the issue you know that a recent court decision is forcing them to take ownership. To comment on what you think DFO should be doing about open net farms send your thoughts to the following address by Feb 26.

aquacultureconsultations@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Attached is letter from the Regional Director, which was received July 7th as a response to the above.

For more background: http://alexandramorton.typepad.com/alexandra_morton/

[delvachio]

Thanks for that information, I have worked in various parts of the fishing industry (Archipelago Marine Research, Pacific Salmon commission, also an avid fly fisher) and have tried to keep up on this issue. I sent a letter to the link provided! For me the most troubling part about this issue is that Fish Farming has had free reign up until DFO took over the mandate to regulate the industry last year. I hope that DFO will not be hesitant to take control of the industry even if it means moving farms elsewhere or inland if it is found they are having a significant impact on fish in the area. I hope that DFO will approach this challenge with an overall goal of protecting wild fish stocks, which legally they are required to do through the species at risk act!

[Dave]

Hopefully there are a bunch of other people like yourself willing to make a statement about how important our wild fisheries are. I don't know for certain what DFO's perspective is, but I can tell you that they have been promoting Aquaculture and defending its negligence for a long time. It will be a major reversal of their own policies if they take the kind of action that many who value wild salmon would like them to take. In the mean time, stand up and be counted.