On Wednesday, October 15, 2013 a 25 minute program about Salmon Farming aired on TVO. The two brothers who created the program suggest they have produced a "balanced" and "fair" program, here is a compilation of blogs, a letter and facebook posts that point out the program is anything but...
We sure don’t want to be in a canoe with the Water Brothers!
PAA Blog: Salmon Facts are Sacred, October 16, 2013
Apparently the dictionary at TVO (TV Ontario) has a different definition of “fair” and “balanced” than the rest of the world. Last night a terrible episode of The Water Brothers aired on public television in Ontario – it has so many mistakes, it’s hard to even start correcting them (though Mainstream Canada got a good start on it here )
Before the episode aired though, the brothers took the time to reach out to some of the groups who gave them “unfettered access” – specifically Marine Harvest Canada and the BC Salmon Farmers Association – to thank them for allowing them to create a ‘balanced’ story.
The story sure didn’t feel balanced though – a lot of the same old critics (think ‘Doc’ Morton and venomous John Volpe) talking about salmon farming in BC…. But not a lot of salmon farmers talking about what we do.
Read the full blog here
Water Brothers have their heads in the sand over salmon farming
Mainstream Canada, 2013-10-14
Despite being given extensive access to BC salmon farms, hatcheries and aquaculture experts, the Water Brothers’ ears were apparently too waterlogged to hear anything when they visited BC last year.
Judging by the TVO show’s co-host Alex Mifflin’s Oct. 14, 2013 Huffington Post blog post, and the brothers’ description of their salmon farming episode which airs this afternoon, they chose to ignore facts in favour of the fearmongering promoted by anti-salmon farming activists.
By selectively ignoring facts, this taxpayer-funded program is doing a great disservice to its viewers.
Read the full blog here
We are writing today with concern and disappointment regarding a recent episode of The Water Brothers aired on TVO, Oct. 15, 2013.
In the spring of 2012, the BC Salmon Farmers Association was approached by the producers of the Water Brothers about organizing a visit to salmon aquaculture sites in British Columbia. Given TVO’s focus on factual and educational programming, the BCSFA’s members agreed to participate – providing significant access to a feed plant, hatchery, farm site and processing facility.
The show that aired as a result of this access misrepresented information, ignored significant findings and facts and failed to include comments provided by experts in the field.
Below are just a few examples of the errors or omissions made in this program:
Read the full letter here
The Water Brothers Website/Episode Link:
Here is the link to the Water Brothers Episode on BC Salmon Farming. http://thewaterbrothers.ca/farmed-and-dangerous/
PAA Note: there are a number of comments of interest posted, why not join the conversation. (*updated-see comments below)
The Water Brothers Facebook Page.
Facebook post, October 16, 2013
Have you seen our new episode "Farmed & Dangerous?"
We've been getting lots of great feedback on the episode. In addition to all the individual responses, here is a statement that came from Mainstream group, a salmon farming company we worked with while filming the episode.
(Links to Mainstream Canada's Blog)
The Mainstream statement also references a Huffington Post blog that Alex wrote which you can check out here:
We have a different point of view than Mainstream Group but if you haven't seen the episode, check it out and you be the judge.
Facebook Comments to October 16, 2013 Water Brothers post: (see below for updates)
Because you omitted so many important facts and responses to criticisms (and granted critics of my business 3/4 of the airtime), you are simply impressing your personal opinion on your viewer. How would viewers know any different if they believe that you will provide them all the facts?
For example, you interviewed me while standing in front of a land-based aquaculture system, of which I am college trained and have 20 years experience, yet you only include the opinion of a critic (with no aquaculture experience) when you ask why these systems aren''t currently used to grow salmon to market size.
Another example: Critic John Volpe says, in his opinion, no science based decisions had been made when allowing Atlantic salmon to be cultured in BC. That is pure nonsense, because BC and Washington state had over 100 years of experience attempting to colonize Atlantics in the Pacific Northwest for sportfishers. All attempts failed, so given this history, and given the fact that Atlantics will not crossbreed with any Pacific salmon species, and given the fact that the Atlantic salmon is the most efficient fish to raise (from an ecosystem perspective), the science based decision was made to allow culture of Atlantic salmon in BC and Washington state. You knew this information, but chose to allow John Volpe to express his opinion...unchallenged.
Very disappointed in your final product, given the time we had spent with you, and knowing the facts you had learned about our business of raising salmon in British Columbia.
Water Brothers Facebook post - Oct 15, 2013
Check out Alex's latest blog for the Huffington Post about salmon farming in B.C. and our episode about the same topic called Farmed and Dangerous, airing tonight at 7:30pm!
Facebook Comments Posted:
James Kelso: Comments are closed on the article. I'm not sure farmed salmon on land is a good idea. They will still be using antibiotics and possibly pesticides. We need to find a way that allows the wild salmon to reproduce. We know slamon swim up streams to lay their eggs. We could reduce contaminants getting in those streams and ban fishing on half of the streams on a regular basis, to allow the fish to breed.
The Water Brothers: You're absolutely right James, moving the farms on land will not solve all the problems with salmon farming or ensure the protection of wild salmon. All we are arguing is that if the government insists on keeping this industry active, it is imperative the farms do not come in contact with wild salmon. If we had more time in the episode we would have loved to discuss some of the issues surrounding the management of wild salmon fisheries. However, eating farmed salmon is a luxury food item and a personal choice, so the good news is that if you are worried about the health of farmed salmon and the impact on the marine environment you don't have to eat it.
Nick DiCarlo: You guys just jumped the shark to use a water term. Too bad I thought maybe you would have been a bit more enlightened but turns out you are just like all the other fringe groups fear mongering to get ratings and funding. You could have been a voice for change instead you get lumped in with the the likes of Alexandra Morton and other radicals that the majority of people just simply tune out.
The Water Brothers: We spoke with experts on both sides of the debate and this is what we found. I'm sorry if this upsets you, but I would hardly call our episode fear mongering. As an employee of one of the largest salmon farming companies in the world, I question how you are able to view this issue without bias and whether it is you who is fear mongering by referring to us as radicals? The salmon farming industry that you represent are given a unique privilege to grow their products in the public waters of Canada. Our investigation simply shows that despite impressive steps forward by the industry to reduce their environmental impact, they still have a long way to go before they can ever be considered environmentally friendly.
Nick DiCarlo: You may have spoken to experts but you certainly did not listen. Instead you chose to regurgitate the ramblings of anti everything zealots for the sake of getting a doom and gloom story. In the process you become another broken record which the public will just tune out. Record sockeye runs in 2010 and record pink runs this year only serve to prove you all wrong (again) no matter how loud you scream the sky is falling.
James Costello: Your bias against salmon farming caused you to omit all evidence presented which ran counter to the story you wanted to tell.
You had an opportunity to pose questions and have them answered by industry professionals, or fish health experts - instead you chose to answer them with unfounded claims and speculation by people who have long opposed the industry in question.
My bias for salmon farming causes me to call for the entire story to be told - including researching actual answers for questions about benthic impacts, disease transfer (or even presence) and risks associated with farming domesticated Atlantic salmon stocks in Pacific waters.
The opportunity to access such info was there, it may have even been provided, yet you chose to focus on the opinions of Morton and Volpe instead of the people who actually had the answers.
You guys went heavy on the fear and light on the context and facts - In my opinion, a predetermined media "DriveBy" on BC's aquaculture industry.
*A Selection of Comments posted on the Water Brothers website
James: October 16, 2013 at 12:24 pm
As a parent I am greatly concernd that you would introduce a deliberately one-sided and factually incorrect piece of fiction to ANY grade level student.
Unles your intent is to educate the students in confirmation bias, suppressed evidence and a whole host of other rhetological fallacies – you would be doing a disservice to them and failing as an educator.
Students need to learn HOW to think, not WHAT to think.
Water Brothers: October 16, 2013
We completely agree James. Students need to learn HOW to think for themselves and not be taught WHAT to think. We feel our episode is a fair look at the issue. We respect your opinions, but can’t help but feel you might be a little biased in your views as you work for a salmon farming company.
Grant: October 16, 2013
Who knows better how salmon farms work than the farmers? It’s a fallacy to dismiss information just because it comes from a source you don’t like.
Why would you believe anti-salmon farming critics when you know they are obviously biased against salmon farming?
Take both viewpoints and weigh them, but most importantly scrutinize the facts provided by all viewpoints. This is where the Water Brothers failed, ignoring facts that didn’t fit with their opinion, and their balance in terms of film time alone was clearly skewed in favour of people who oppose salmon farming.
Grant: October 15, 2013
Despite being given extensive access to BC aquaculture facilities, feed production and fish health experts, Alex and Tyler chose to ignore anything they heard from farmers that disagreed with the opinion they had obviously pre-formed long before coming to BC.
This is disappointing, and concerning, for a publicly-funded supposedly educational program.
My company, Mainstream Canada, has extensive concerns with the inaccuracies and misinformation in this film and has posted a rebuttal and the information the Mifflins chose to ignore here.
James: October 16, 2013
Why was it that the Water Brothers seemed more interested in speculating about profits and multinational corporations than actually investgating whether the disease claims were true?
They talked to a farmer about how the closed-containment systems worked, and then had a guy from SFU answer the question of why they were not used for the full cycle – why was that?
This episode did nothing more than push forward the position of salmon farming opponents with speculative comments and claims, while omitting the answers provided by those in the industry which would have either laid those concerns to rest, or shown that the claims were unfounded.
I am disappointed to see TVO supporting this work as educational material.
By telling only part of the story from farmers, while allowing opponents of BC’s salmon farming industry free reign to express their opinions they have done a disservice to not only the thousands of aquaculture workers in BC, but to anyone watching this show.
Again, I am extremely disappointed that this piece aired as shown.
Ian Roberts: October 16, 2013
Hi guys, I was one of the interviews on your show. While I appreciate that everyone has a different point of view, isn’t it the responsibility of your show (and TVO) to provide facts and balanced opinions to your viewers, so they can make the best decision based on the knowledge made available to them?
Because you chose to omit so many important facts and responses to criticisms (and granting critics of my business over 75% of the airtime), you are simply impressing your personal opinion on your viewer. How would they know any different if they believe that you will provide them all the facts?
For example, you interviewed me while standing in front of a land-based aquaculture system, of which I am college trained and have 20 years experience, yet you only include the opinion of a critic (with no aquaculture experience) when you ask why these systems aren”t currently used to grow salmon to market size.
Another example: Critic John Volpe says, in his opinion, that no science based decisions had been made when allowing Atlantic salmon to be cultured in BC. That is pure nonsense, because BC and Washington state had over 100 years of experience attempting to colonize Atlantics in the Pacific Northwest. All attempts failed, so given this history, and given the fact that Atlantics will not crossbreed with any Pacific salmon species, and given the fact that the Atlantic salmon is the most efficient fish to raise (from an ecosystem perspective), the science based decision was made to allow culture of Atlantic salmon in BC and Washington state. You knew this information, but chose to allow John Volpe to express his personal and factless opinion…unchallenged.
I’m very disappointed in your final product, given the time we had spent with you, and knowing the facts you had learned about our business of raising salmon in British Columbia.
Twyla Roscovich: October 16, 2013
You know you are the right track with a industry that has something to hide when you get all the hired industry PR reps systematically slagging you & throwing red herrings ( like Ian Roberts, James Costello and Grant Warkentin). For more info on this issue check out SalmonConfidential.ca
Ian Roberts: October 17, 2013
Twyla, if you feel that I am a “hired PR and am slagging the Water Brothers”, then perhaps you misunderstood my post. I went to school for aquaculture and have 20 years production experience raising fish – not hired as PR – but I do now speak on behalf of our 500 employees to helo them learn how we raise salmon. We have every right to correct misinformation or fill in the gaps left my people who refuse to tell the whole story.
When there is misinformation about our business, we will correct it. I feel that the Water Brothers had an opportunity to educate their viewers so they can make wise choices at the seafood counter, but failed to do so by only providing the viewer information that fit their own personal opinions.
Best that you concentrate on the facts – ad hominem attacks on people don’t add to the conversation at all.
Positive Aquaculture Awareness, October 17, 2013
Interesting Twyla has again taken the opportunity to self-promote her fictional documentary on this page. We would like to recommend the Water Brothers and others check out Salmon Confidential Exposed at SalmonConfidential.com to learn more about the many errors, false claims and incorrect assumptions in this “documentary”
PAA Note: We will continue to keep you posted on Water Brothers activity, watch for updates.
Update - October 21, 2013 - More FB comments to the Water Brothers Facebook post on October 16, 2013
James Costello: Another point raised in the episode was the use of Atlantic salmon in BC aquaculture.
There has been a lengthy history of Atlantic stockings in BC waters, with none proving to have established a self-sustaining population.
Fears of Pacific stocks being displaced are unfounded, and they are not able to interbreed with Pacific species.
James Costello: It is interesting to see the response to aquaculture professionals providing information which was withheld, ignored, or otherwise omitted from the episode by the Water Brothers.
Countering context and empirical evidence which would stand to nullify the speculative claims of industry opponents with yet more speculation and conspiracy theories seems to be the norm for those who do not agree with the practice of salmon farming.
These further examples of confirmation bias go to show that no matter what the reality of the situation, or the amount of information available, there will always be those who choose to believe the story that best fits their views.
Sites like http://www.bcsalmonfacts.ca/ serve to provide balance to the discussion, as it seems there is a significant trend in media giving industry-critical views a free ride when it comes to requesting evidence to support their claims.
Whatever your opinion of the activity in question - it is important to ask the same questions of both sides and weigh the evidence on its own merits, rather than the source.
James Costello: On the topic of ISA there is considerable evidence which shows it is not present in BC.
Status Update on the Surveillance of Wild Anadromous Salmonids in British Columbia - Animals -... www.inspection.gc.ca
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its first year of wild ...See More
Ian Roberts: Well, a call to action from an anti-salmon farming Facebook site yesterday to respond to James and myself worked quite well.
Thomas Chan, you would have heard responses to your claims/concerns had they been included in the TV program. But the responses/facts were deleted so I can understand why your concerns remain. I see James has provided some science based evidence for you: I hope you will take the time to review.
Sarah, your attack on my ethics don't add anything to constructive dialogue, but I will repeat what I said on the show (which didn't make the finals edit either). That is, I am proud to be a part of the solution to conserving wild salmon in the ocean for future generations. With aquaculture, we can provide a healthy seafood for a growing popultion, by having a sustainable wild fishery complimented with cultured fish that helps supply demand that wild fish alone cannot (as evidence by overfishing 50+ years ago).
Ian Roberts: Hi Thomas, all species of salmon (wild and cultured) have been tested for ISAv in the Pacific Northwest and confirmed negative for its presence. This informaton is included in the links supplied to you by James.
As for your allegations of collusion, evidence suppression and professional integrity of qualified researchers, I disagree. But you have obviously made your mind up and wish to believe what you want to believe. Cheers.
James Costello: For those who would like to learn more about how viral testing works, this is an enlightening read:
Awwk! Pieces of virus!
salmonconfidential.com
Back in May Morton must have been irritated enough by my blog that she deigned t...See More
