Salmon Farmers provide extensive data to Cohen Commission
BCSFA News Release, October 22, 2010
Five years of raw data about fish health on BC salmon farms have been released to the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Fraser River Sockeye.
"Counsel for the commission requested data going back to 2005 for 21 farms- and we were able to provide that information once the formal order was completed," said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association. "The information confirms what has been released to the public through regular reports by our regulators - that fish on our farms are healthy."
Each company employs extensive fish health management plans which include monitoring, sampling and reporting protocols. The BCSFA, which has been granted standing at the Cohen Commission, collects that data and provides it to regulators.
"The fish health program is a great way to ensure that the public interest is protected with high operating standards on farms, by having companies share detailed information with experts providing context to large amounts of data," said Walling.
The five years of data will give the commission good information on five different migration years in highlighted areas, including important data for runs such as the failed 2009 Sockeye return and the historically-high 2010 return.
"It's good to be able to assist Justice Cohen by providing information he needs to complete the challenging task ahead," said Walling.
The BCSFA represents salmon farm companies and those who supply services and supplies to the industry. Salmon-farming provides for 6,000 direct and indirect jobs while contributing $800-million to the provincial economy each year.
