Statement to media: Provincial announcement echoes Salmon Farmers support for Cohen Commission recommendations
BCSFA, Friday, March 22, 2013
Re: Provincial government statement http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2013/03/bc-responds-to-cohen-commission-recommendations.html#.UUyZD02sW_s.twitter
“As we described in a press release in November 2012, the final report of the Cohen Commission into the Decline of Fraser River Sockeye lays solid ground for protecting the future of the iconic salmon run. The province’s announcement today provides clarity on their areas of responsibility for fisheries.
Our farmers continue to farm in the most responsible way every day and have demonstrated that commitment consistently. The provincial government knows this, as they regulated salmon farming until 2010, introducing the strictest regulations in the world.
These recommendations are all about protecting wild salmon, which is central to the work that we do each day on our farms. We support more research in Discovery Islands area and are confident it will only continue to prove what we've seen to date: no impact of our farms on wild salmon.
Commissioner Cohen emphasizes in his report that there was no single cause for the poor 2009 return of Fraser River Sockeye, but he draws attention to topics that are either at issue or that need further information to understand any potential impact. Warming water temperatures was called the “elephant in the room,” while the risk of enhancement hatchery fish was also highlighted as serious risk.
We recognize the importance of working to resolve any outstanding questions. We are participating in research being done by Genome BC and other research projects to further understand wild and aquaculture fish health. Our fish have been shown to be very healthy and as Justice Cohen recognized we have excellent data to support this. Cohen also acknowledged that the mountains of evidence presented at his Commission showed no link between farmed salmon and fluctuations in wild salmon populations.”
Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director,
BC Salmon Farmers Association
