Another scientific report has been released that suggests that world wide fish farms are having a detrimental effect on the native stocks of wild salmon and trout.
A new study by scientists at Nova Scotia's Dalhousie University reports that fish farms are directly associated with plummeting populations of wild salmon and trout. Stephen Hume of the Vancouver Sun, a long time observer of the fishing industry both wild and farm, provided a thoughtful examination of the findings in the Tuesday Sun.
Scientists Jennifer Ford and Ransom Myers published their report in the Public Library of Science Biology, an international peer-reviewed journal.
In the report, titled A Global Assessment of Salmon Aquaculture Impacts on Wild Salmonids, the two scientists examined conditions in Scotland, Ireland, Atlantic Canada and the B.C. coast, comparing the survival of wild salmon and trout populations in areas with fish farms with similar populations in adjacent areas without farms.
The B. C. areas of study were along the Johnstone Strait where fish farms are prevelant and along the Central Coast, where no farms exist. The findings showed a reduction in the wild stocks in those areas closest to the farmed salmon stocks.
"We show a reduction in survival or abundance of Atlantic salmon; sea trout; and pink, chum and coho salmon in association with increased production of farmed salmon. In many cases, these reductions in survival or abundance are greater than 50 per cent,"
The report will add to the evidence from those that don’t believe that the aquaculture industry is a sustainable industry in BC’s waters if it comes at the expense of the wild stocks that have made the province famous.
As could be imagined with another study released that doesn’t portray the aquaculture industry in the best light, officials of that industry were quick to offer their impressions of the new study, dismissing it as simplistic in its efforts to blame the aquaculture industry for the decline of wild stocks.
One aquaculture consultant called the report “pure and utter nonsense in my opinion”.
The report has come out at the same time as the Premier’s Pacific Salmon Forum continues its investigations into the impact that the fish farm industry may or may not have on wild stocks. They recently released their interim report that seems to debunk contrary to previous studies suggesting impending doom for wild stocks, it will be interesting to see how they interpret the findings released today as they continue their studies through 2008.
It should make for some more interesting reading for all stakeholders and government officials; you can get a head start on your homework by reading over the study available at this link.
A new study by scientists at Nova Scotia's Dalhousie University reports that fish farms are directly associated with plummeting populations of wild salmon and trout. Stephen Hume of the Vancouver Sun, a long time observer of the fishing industry both wild and farm, provided a thoughtful examination of the findings in the Tuesday Sun.
Scientists Jennifer Ford and Ransom Myers published their report in the Public Library of Science Biology, an international peer-reviewed journal.
In the report, titled A Global Assessment of Salmon Aquaculture Impacts on Wild Salmonids, the two scientists examined conditions in Scotland, Ireland, Atlantic Canada and the B.C. coast, comparing the survival of wild salmon and trout populations in areas with fish farms with similar populations in adjacent areas without farms.
The B. C. areas of study were along the Johnstone Strait where fish farms are prevelant and along the Central Coast, where no farms exist. The findings showed a reduction in the wild stocks in those areas closest to the farmed salmon stocks.
"We show a reduction in survival or abundance of Atlantic salmon; sea trout; and pink, chum and coho salmon in association with increased production of farmed salmon. In many cases, these reductions in survival or abundance are greater than 50 per cent,"
The report will add to the evidence from those that don’t believe that the aquaculture industry is a sustainable industry in BC’s waters if it comes at the expense of the wild stocks that have made the province famous.
As could be imagined with another study released that doesn’t portray the aquaculture industry in the best light, officials of that industry were quick to offer their impressions of the new study, dismissing it as simplistic in its efforts to blame the aquaculture industry for the decline of wild stocks.
One aquaculture consultant called the report “pure and utter nonsense in my opinion”.
The report has come out at the same time as the Premier’s Pacific Salmon Forum continues its investigations into the impact that the fish farm industry may or may not have on wild stocks. They recently released their interim report that seems to debunk contrary to previous studies suggesting impending doom for wild stocks, it will be interesting to see how they interpret the findings released today as they continue their studies through 2008.
It should make for some more interesting reading for all stakeholders and government officials; you can get a head start on your homework by reading over the study available at this link.
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