Week in Review: Sept. 6-8 at the Cohen Commission
BCSFA, September 12, 2011
The final days of the hearings on aquaculture at the Cohen Commission in the decline of the Fraser River Sockeye salmon are now complete - wrapping up nine days focusing on BC's salmon farming industry as Justice Bruce Cohen examines a wide range of possible factors in the survival of iconic Sockeye.
Tuesday featured a full roster of sea lice researchers who talked about the range of science and role that these naturally-occurring marine parasites may play in Sockeye populations. Witnesses included, Dr. Simon Jones (Research Scientist, DFO), Dr. Craig Orr (Executive Director, Watershed Watch Salmon Society), Mike Price (Biologist, Raincoast Conservation Foundation) and Dr. Sonja Saksida (Executive Director, Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences).
Most of the counsels covered a wide range of topics: including the genetics of sea lice, the effect of sea lice on juvenile salmon, sea lice as a vector for disease and the effectiveness of SLICE. The researchers were generally split between cautious scientific comment and bolder 'conclusion' statements. They did all agree however that there is more work needed on Sockeye specifically when it comes to sea lice and that it is unlikely sea lice from farms on their own had an impact on the Sockeye.
Dr. Jones and Dr. Saksida raised some questions about Mr. Price's Sockeye paper, while there was further debate regarding field vs. lab studies. Rather than seeking further information about the sea lice information held by panelists, the lawyer for the anti-aquaculture coalition spent much of his time trying to cast aspersions on Dr. Saksida - who defended herself and her work and the Centre strongly.
The following two days were filled by the 'Perspectives ' panel - an opportunity for those who have been involved in the aquaculture issue but are not deemed as experts in the formal way previous witnesses were. The panel was made up of Catherine Stewart (Living Oceans), Alexandra Morton (Raincoast Research), Clare Backman (Marine Harvest Canada), and Mia Parker (speaking from her previous role in aquaculture - Grieg Seafood - and not her more recent employment with DFO).
Commission counsel set the stage with some broad questions about whether DFO can promote and regulate the industry and about how they are doing with the regulatory transfer. The obvious division in answers occurred. The one point the panel agreed on - which was noted by the commission counsel - was an interest in having DFO publish more on their science.
The lawyer for the BCSFA, Alan Blair, asked about the precautionary principle and how it's defined, and about mass mortality and disease management. He cleaned up a few questions that had been left hanging by others in the preceding few weeks: specifically about activities at Conville Bay and about the identification/diagnosis debate regarding marine anemia, and received clear explanations from industry representatives. He asked a question about the varying science regarding aquaculture which was posed to all panel members.
Each panelist talked about what they saw as concerns and possibilities. Ms. Morton speculated about the possible impact of farms. Some of her comments were corrected, and the Government of Canada challenged some of the assumptions she was making by misrepresenting other experts testimony. Derogatory comments and cartoons from her blog were highlighted and her breach of undertaking overnight between hearings was also raised. Ms. Stewart asked questions about DFO research and innovation funding to the salmon-farming industry and questioned policies around siting of farms, processing plant treatment requirements, and the pest and pathogen treatment program.
First Nations representatives raised questions about how the concerns of those opposed to aquaculture can be better addressed - and each sought commitments from industry about moving forward. The Aboriginal Aquaculture Association focused on their goal of co-existent aquaculture and fisheries.
Mr. Backman and Ms. Parker did a good job of correcting misinformation put forward about the industry - talking about the extensive siting requirements in BC, the waste treatment costs, the extensive amount of fish health reporting that is required at each stage of the growth cycle and more.
The end of this panel marked the end of the Aquaculture hearings. The commission will return to the hearing rooms later this week to discuss other possible factors relating to the survival of the Fraser River Sockeye.
Transcripts of the hearings are being posted regularly now and can be reviewed here by choosing the date of interest.
(PAA Note: PAA is cross posting the Transcript Links for August 22 - September 08, 2011 on their blog page - Link here )
