Blaming all ocean woes on fish farming 'irresponsible' The Citizen, April 30, 2010
Dear Editor:
The recent letter from Lance Underwood that you published is very typical of the disingenuous anti salmon farming movement that is taking place in this province.
Not only is Mr. Underwood's information wrong he also conveniently neglects to mention that he is a commercial fisherman from Alaska. While I do not take issue with his profession, which is a very noble one, I do take issue with is his obvious biased attitude against aquaculture for personal gain.
He says he is shocked and upset that you would write something positive about B.C.'s fish farming industry and that it is not sustainable. He then goes on to list many half truths and outright falsehoods as "scientific evidence." Evidence oddly enough that was paid for largely by U.S. based charitable trusts that have taken aim at the B.C. Aquaculture industry.
Also of note this "evidence" has been discredited as false and incorrect by professional DFO biologists under testimony in Ottawa. Biologists whose sole responsibility and mandate is the protection of wild salmon here in British Columbia.
Which begs the question, why would U.S. foundations have so much interest in destroying our fish farming industry?
Is sending large fleets of diesel burning boats out to sea for weeks at a time more sustainable than aquaculture? Is by-catch that is not used and discarded usually dead more sustainable than aquaculture? Is the answer to saving endangered runs of wild salmon catching and eating more of them? You see when you look at all the facts it is not so easy to discern what is and what is not sustainable.
People should be aware that B.C. raised farmed salmon is a safe, well regulated, delicious and healthy product that helps take the pressure off wild stocks. Global demand for fish and seafood is increasing every year as people become more health conscious and our oceans can only supply so much. Already 95 per cent of the world's wild fisheries are at or exceeding maximum allowable catch rates. The answer to this is responsible aquaculture.
To blame all the ocean's woes on fish farming is not only irresponsible it does a disservice to the thousands of men and women who work and believe in the industry across the province. I know this because I am one of them. Mr. Underwood lamented those nasty Norwegians as big faceless corporations. Well I will have him know that I am Canadian, I work in the Cowichan Valley, I volunteer in the Cowichan Valley, I pay taxes in the Cowichan Valley and so do my co-workers who work alongside me every day. The company I work for also puts millions of dollars into the local economy.
While I do not begrudge Mr. Underwood for making a good living off the ocean up in Alaska I do resent him slamming my industry that puts food on my table as well as many tables across North America. We all want to see healthy salmon runs return to B.C.'s coast as soon as possible but we need to look at all the possible factors causing their decline not just convenient scapegoats.
Nick DiCarlo, Mill Bay
