Letter to the Editor, Campbell River Mirror, Published: March 09, 2010
News Editor Paul Rudan deserves a pat on the back for his story Walcan responds to sea lice allegations, published March 5.
With the story, Mr. Rudan has done what many in the public and media, have forgotten to do - seek out real information about the debate around salmon farming in order to understand both sides of the issue.
Nobody - not salmon farmers, not environmentalists or the general public - wants sea lice to injure the wild salmon population. Salmon farmers and processors meet stringent environmental standards not only out of requirement but because, as members of the community, the ecological health of the area is important to us.
The BC Salmon Farmers Association strives to make straight-forward information available about the industry and encourages further research. Our members want the public to know that we are open to their questions. We even want the community to come and see for themselves, as Mr. Rudan did, through tours. Local farm tours will be held weekly from June to September, and can be booked through the office here in Campbell River.
We believe that farmed salmon is a sustainable source of an important food - and are proud of the fact that the industry employs nearly 6,000 people directly and indirectly in coastal British Columbia. We hope that through the open sharing of information, our communities will be proud of that too.
Mary Ellen Walling,
Executive Director,
B.C. Salmon Farmers Association
