Clarifying Cohen
Squamish Chief, by Colleen Dane, BCSFA, January 30, 2014
It is unfortunate that, through the letter to the editor “Another blow to wild salmon,” the recommendations of the Cohen Commission Inquiry into the decline of the Fraser River sockeye continue to be misrepresented.
Justice Cohen, after three years of research compelling tens-of-thousands of documents and unprecedented data, found that there was no evidence salmon farms were negatively affecting the Fraser River sockeye (Final Report, Vol. 3, p. 24). In light of the public concern, he added that further data should be collected in the years to come, and continued research by undertaken. B.C.’s salmon farmers have supported all of his aquaculture recommendations — not just in words, but in action — since their release.
As Cohen undertook his review, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans chose not to advance any applications regarding salmon farm license amendments. With the report complete, DFO is now resuming that work. They are honouring Cohen’s recommendations by holding a moratorium in place in the Discovery Islands area.
The commission’s intensive review of issues potentially affecting the iconic sockeye certainly honours the work of many volunteers — both at the Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable and through many other organizations. There were over 60 recommendations made by Justice Cohen that didn’t relate to aquaculture that will also help to guide management decisions into the future.
In the meantime, we feel managed, careful growth of salmon farming is an important part of protecting our wild salmon. As worldwide demand for healthy seafood continues to grow, our responsible farming sector represents an opportunity for B.C. to lead the way as a food solution.
Colleen Dane
B.C. Salmon Farmers
Here is the Letter to the Editor BCSFA responded to:
Another blow to wild salmon
Squamish Chief, by Dave Brown, January 23, 2014
Prime Minister Harper continues to attack wild salmon!
Fisheries Minister Gail Shea announced on Jan. 15, that she was going to open the door to fish farm expansion on B.C. coast. This goes against the recommendations of Justice Bruce Cohen in his Cohen Inquiry Report into the collapse of the Fraser River Sockeye.
It’s a real blow to the future of wild salmon in B.C. and an extreme disappointment to the work of the Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable, who worked with local MP John Weston to get Prime Minister Harper to call the Cohen Inquiry in the fall of 2009.
It’s a clear message that Prime Minister Harper and Fisheries Minister Gail Shea have no interest whatsoever in following the recommendations of the Cohen Inquiry into protecting wild B.C. salmon.
“The decision to expand destructive aquaculture practices anywhere along B.C.’s coast is a huge betrayal of the concerns raised in the Cohen Inquiry,” said Watershed Watch Salmon Society executive director Craig Orr.
I personally urge all British Columbians to contact their local MP to voice their concerns over this issue. Please do not buy farmed salmon and let your local grocer that you oppose the sale of it in their stores.
Dave Brown
Whistler
PAA Reference Link to Cohen Commission Report: http://www.farmfreshsalmon.org/cohen-commission-0
