Case isn't closed
By Brad Marsili, Courier-Islander January 28, 2011
I've read with interest your last few stories about a new type of salmon farm being installed near Campbell River. I will look forward to the results in a few years when these fish are sent to market.
But there are two concerns I have with Dan MacLennan's reporting of this story
Firstly, MP Fin Donnelly says, "This installation proves the technology to move to closed containment now exists and is viable". What? Since when does the installation of a tank filled with water prove viability? Apparently, Mr. Donnelly didn't read the latest study by DFO that estimated the return on investment of this type of system after three years to be -10%. Only a politician could spin that into a "viable" business. Perhaps some of this information should have been provided to give some balance to the story.
Secondly, although Mr. MacLennan refers to this project as "closed containment" - it is not. The water flows in...and the water flows out. There is some capture of fish poop, but not all. Closed containment describes the filtering and treatment of effluent water and this project does neither.
In fact, the project is carefully described on the business's own web site as "solid-wall containment". Subtle but important difference.
Like I've said, this is an interesting business proposal and I wish them luck. In the meantime, perhaps the Courier-Islander could try to report somewhat accurately on the subject.
Brad Marsili
