BCSFA: Week in Review: Aquaculture at the Cohen Commission - Aug.29 - Sept. 1
This week we saw the 3rd-6th days of hearings about aquaculture in BC at the Cohen Commission into the decline of the Fraser River Sockeye salmon. Justice Cohen, as part of his comprehensive review of possible factors in the survival of our iconic Sockeye, has looked at many topics so far, designating nine days over three weeks to aquaculture in particular.
Monday resumed with the panel that had begun their testimony last week: Dr. Brendan Connors (School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University), Dr. Larry Dill (Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University), Dr. Josh Korman (Ecometric Research Inc.) and Dr. Don Noakes (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Thompson Rivers University).
The time was spent working through their reports (found here on the Cohen Commission website) with many questions being posed about how they had come to their conclusions. With limited time for all parties, there were many documents added quickly as exhibits for review later. As was predicted, the industry opponents tried to tease out individual data points to draw broad conclusions - it's the kind of misinterpretation of information that salmon farmers had hoped would be avoided with the third party expert reports produced by the panel members.
While the experts had come to different conclusions, they agreed on some intermediary points: that benthic impacts, escapes and sea lice directly are not likely to be having any impact on Sockeye salmon. When asked by the representative from the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association whether wild and farmed salmon can co-exist, all panelists agreed.
On Tuesday, the focus turned to siting and regulation with : Dr. Ian Fleming (Professor, Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland), Gavin Last (formerly Assistant Director, Aquaculture Branch, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands), Trevor Swerdfager (formerly Director General, Aquaculture Management Directorate, DFO (NHQ) and Andrew Thomson (Director, Aquaculture Management Directorate, DFO (Pacific Region).
When asked simply if DFO can both manage and promote the industry, DFO staff spoke eloquently about their confidence in the system. Questions focused on access to information, standard of regulation, licensing conditions and siting requirements. In order to make more time for the First Nations Coalition, Mr. Thompson was asked to come back the next morning for an early start. Those questions focused on consultation.
Wednesday turned to fish health - with a strong suite of fish health professionals on the panel to provide a range of perspectives on the overall process. Included were Dr. Gary Marty (Fish Pathologist, Animal Health Centre, Ministry of Agriculture), Dr. Peter McKenzie (Veterinarian and Fish Health Manager, Mainstream Canada), Dr. Mark Sheppard (Lead Veterinarian, Aquaculture Environmental Operations, DFO), and Trevor Swerdfager (formerly Director General, Aquaculture Management Directorate, DFO (NHQ).
There were many questions posed of them, regarding the basics of disease and pathogens, the protection around egg imports, their work and responsibilities and the details of Fish Health Management Plans. They were also asked about marine anemia, which has been focused on by anti-industry campaigners as their latest concern, and it was explained that many things can cause this anemia and that diagnosis is strong. Questions about the fish health database were easily explained by this team of experts.
Thursday focused on habitat and enforcement, with Brian Atagi (Area Chief Aquaculture, Conservation & Protection, DFO), Kerra Hoyseth (Senior Aquaculture Biologist, Aquaculture Environmental Operations, DFO), Andrew Thomson (Director, Aquaculture Management Directorate, DFO (Pacific Region). They were asked about the requirements under the new Pacific Aquaculture Regulations and how they are enforced. There was extensive questioning about biosecurity protocols as well. Overall, it was made clear that salmon farming has tight standards to meet and that DFO is working to make sure through their transition to have the strongest program possible moving forward.
Aquaculture continues to be the focus next week for Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, when there will be a panel of experts on sea lice and a 'perspectives on aquaculture' panel.
Please note that you can now listen to the proceedings online through www.rabble.ca, and that the commission posts exhibits made public each day. They can be found at the bottom of the calendar pages, below the list of each speaker.
