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The BC salmon aquaculture industry has been one of the most criticized in the province. Nevertheless , the industry continues to expand and both the provincial and federal government continue to promote it. The opposition is led by The Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR) - a 9-member organization composed of First Nations groups, the fishing community and the conservation community. Key topics to discuss - The recent "Framework for Dialogue" that has been initiated between CAAR and Marine Harvest Canada - one of the three major players in the industry. A recent report was also released accusing the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans of using an ineffective system to measure the health effects of sea-lice on juvenile wild salmon.

Guests

Alexandra Morton - Raincoast Research. Co-author of Stain Upon the Sea - West Coast Salmon Farming. Originally from Conneticut, Alexandra moved to BC in 1980. After the arrival of salmon farms around her home in the Broughton Archipelago, her research focus shifted in the early 90s from killer whales to salmon.

Jay Ritchlin - Marine Campaign Strategist, David Suzuki Foundation - Vancouver. He has been involved in Environmental Science and Advocacy for 15 years.

Corey Peet - graduate student in Marine Ecology at the University of Victoria who is finishing up his research on the interactions between sea lice and young pink + chum salmon. He has recently joined the Raincoast Conservation Society as a science advisor for their Salmon Aquaculture campaign.

Catherine Stewart - Chairperson, Living Oceans Society - a non-profit research and public education organization that promotes the need for a healthy ocean and healthy communities on Canada's Pacific Coast. Catherine has been involved in the environmental movement for 20 years, and for 17 of those years Catherine has also been involved with Greenpeace Canada.

Clare Backman - Spokesperson, Marine Harvest Canada. Marine Harvest is the largest producer of farmed salmon in the world. The company is headquartered in both Norway and the Netherlands - a result from the recent merger between Stolt Sea Farms and Nutreco Holdings. The company has operations in 8 different countries around the world and their products can be found in over 70 countries. Marine Harvest's Canadian operation is headquartered in Campbell River, British Columbia.

Jay Ritchlin

1. With the need to catch wild fish from places like South America, I asked Jay whether this poses a threat to those in neighboring countries that perhaps rely on these fish as sources of food. LISTEN
2. I asked Jay if it's safe to say that both the provincial and federal government are supporting the removal of food sources from communities that otherwise rely on these sources to survive. LISTEN
3. Salmon farms are very often located away from communities and are nestled in small sheltered bays not far from the shores of untouched and wild moutainous islands - in other words the standard landscape of the BC coast. I ask Jay if the tourism industry has been affected by these farms. LISTEN
4. When the industry was born, jobs were promised. Jay comments. LISTEN
5. Has the industry followed regulations? LISTEN

1. Another controversial issue - the use of antibiotics in treating sea-lice infested populations of farmed salmon. Corey explains the methods used by the industry. LISTEN
2. Looking at the levels of antibiotic use on farmed salmon populations: in 2001 Norway used 645kg of antibiotics in their farmed salmon operations, whereas in British Columbia in 2003, companies used 22,445 kg of antibiotics. Norway also produces far more farmed salmon than Canada does. Why is it we are using such a greater amount of drugs in our salmon farming operations? LISTEN

1. If a Salmon Aquaculture Review was conducted in the late 90s, and this was deemed to be a solution to the environmental concerns posed by the industry, should we not feel comfortable with the systems now in place? LISTEN
2. Has the DFO responded to her published report? Alexandra also comments on the attacks being made by the BCSFA. LISTEN
3. Alexandra expands on the "net loss" concept of feeding farmed salmon. LISTEN
4. She lists some of the key steps that need to be made. LISTEN

1. Catherine expands on the progress of the Safeway campaign. LISTEN
2. Safeway executives have been invited by the First Nations Chiefs of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribe to see the impact of salmon farms on their way of life. LISTEN

Check out the series page

TAKE ACTION!
www.raincoastresearch.org
www.davidsuzuki.org
www.uvic.ca
www.raincoast.org
www.livingoceans.org
www.greenpeace.ca
www.marineharvest.com
www.farmedanddangerous.org (CAAR)
www.salmonopolis.ca
www.puresalmon.org(US)
www.aquaculture.ca
www.seafoodintelligence.com
PFRCC
BC Salmon Farmers Association
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
Georgia Strait Alliance
Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation
Watershed Watch Salmon Society
BC Ministry of Agriculture + Lands
DFO Atlantic Salmon Watch
DFO Pacific - Aquaculture
Cermaq ASA
Grieg
Pan Fish

Articles/Papers/Studies
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1. "Fulton's Condition Factor: Is It a Valid Measure of Sea Lice Impact on Juvenile Salmon?"- Morton, A., Routledge, R., NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT, 02.06
2. "Message From Alexandra Morton to the BCSFA" - 09.05
3. "Transmission dynamics of parasitic sea lice from farm to wild salmon" - Krkosek, M., 04.05
4. "DFO Paid Top Official to Work for Fish Farm Boosters" - The Tyee, 08.05
5. Closing in on environmentally sound aquaculture: A fresh look at the economics of closed-containment systems" - 04.05
6. "Sea Lice Are Real" (Photographic Presentation of Sea Lice) - Morton, A., 04.05
7. Salmon Forever: An Assessment of the Provincial Role in Sustaining Wild Salmon" - BC Auditor General - 10.04
8. Relaxing Perspectives: The Environmental Impact of Salmon Farms - Mitchell, H., Brackett, J., Hicks, B., 2003. This is the article referred to from the BCSFA web site listed under their "Environmental Protection" resource section. Jim Brackett is the General Manager of Vancouver-based Syndel International Inc. - aquaculture chemicals and pharmaceutical products for the industry. Brad Hicks - Vice-President of North Vancouver-based, Taplow Feeds - manufacturer of feed products for the aquaculture industry. Hugh Mitchell is the Manager of Professional Services for the Aqua Health division of Novartis - producer of vaccines and medications for the industry.
9. "2003 Site Inspection Summary Compliance Report" - Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
10. Super un-Natural: Atlantic Salmon in BC Waters" - Volpe, J., 2001
11. Clear choices, Clean waters: The Leggatt Inquiry into Salmon Farming in British Columbia" - Legatt, S., 2001
12. "Contaminants Found in Farmed Salmon" - University at Albany

Books

"Stain Upon the Sea - West Coast Salmon Farming"
Harbour Publishing

Videos

• *NEW: "Call From a Coast" - Twyla Roscovich, A short documentary that looks at the proposed introduction of salmon farms into the Skeena estuary in BC. It shows the issues as seen through the eyes of stakeholders in Prince Rupert and outlying First Nations villages. The local filmmaker, Twyla Roscovich, went south for dramatic footage in the Broughton. DD Highly Recommends!