There is no evidence of ISA in waters off B.C
By Robert Wager, The Daily News November 24, 2011
It never fails to amaze me how activist groups carry out "science."
When their poorly done "science" was slightly positive for ISA they had a press release and claimed imminent disaster for B.C. wild salmon. The story ran on every front page across North America.
Forget the fact ISA has virtually no effect on Pacific salmon species. Forget the fact DFO and other world-class experts have repeated the testing of the allegedly positive ISA salmon samples, found by a well known anti-aquaculture activist, and did not confirm evidence of the ISA virus. Forget the fact thousands of similar tests over the years have all come back negative for ISA. Forget the fact all salmon egg imports have been tested for ISA for years. Now the critics claim DFO is not concerned about ISA.
Are we to believe hundreds more proper controlled, replicated tests, with negative results, are because DFO is unconcerned? What an amazing point of view. It might keep the fear about ISA in the media for a little while longer but it sure isn't science.
The science is clear. There continues to be no evidence of the ISA virus in B.C. waters.
Robert Wager Vancouver Island University Nanaimo
Robert responded to the following:
Ottawa failing to act as required on ISA problem
Ruby Berry, The Daily News, Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Recent reports of the presence of the deadly ISA virus in B.C. wild salmon seem to have alarmed everyone except those meant to be taking care of the wild salmon.
Rather than taking immediate measures to determine the extent of this threat, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency leapt to discredit the findings and assure international markets that all is well in Canadian waters. Unfortunately, their claim rests on inconclusive evidence and degraded samples.
Instead of launching an emergency investigation into this potential disaster, the federal government has announced a $1-million grant to the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance for international advertising. It appears that the health of B.C. waters, and the wild salmon is not the priority of the federal government after all.
Ruby Berry Georgia Strait Alliance Nanaimo
