Fraser River FN Letter Opposing Salmon Farms

[OldBlackDog]

Honourable Mary Polak,
Minister of the Environment,
Province of British Columbia

Re: “Information Regarding Concerns about Farmed Salmon - Wild Salmon Interactions"

Dear Ministers:

We are a group of academic scientists who have worked extensively on the influence of salmon aquaculture on diseases of wild salmon in BC, and the associated consequences for the sustainability of both wild and farmed salmon. Recently we became aware of a document being circulated entitled “Information Regarding Concerns about Farmed Salmon - Wild Salmon Interactions.” This document is dated March 16, 2015.

We understand that this report was requested by your Offices in order to help guide your decisions regarding possible expansion of the salmon aquaculture industry in BC. The report's author, Dr Gary Marty, concludes that salmon aquaculture does not pose a disease risk to wild salmon.


As I noted, requested by MOE!

No - I can't see where he was asked for this, OBD. It was mailed out to the various Provincial Ministers - Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and the Minister of the Environment. The only one that is Marty's "Boss" is the MoA.

 

[Dave]

You do understand that Dr. Marty is a Provincial employee - a "public servant", Dave? NOT an industry vet or industry PR firm?

Yet - here he is advocating on behalf of the industries needs.

Does anyone else think that is inappropriate?

I was part of the technical support for quite a few Fisheries scientists and many more grad students who went on to complete their Masters or PhD’s. All were bright, some were freakin’ brilliant, and all considered their science to be top notch. After spending up to 8 years in university and field work and $hit loads of money to obtain that degree, any suggestion of fudging data or bs’ing results from that data would mean certain banishment from academia and a loss of all professional credibility.
Career over, after a huge personal investment.
Do you really think Dr. Gary Marty would risk ostracization by his peers by publishing something not factual?

 

[agentaqua]

That was the header from Dill's bunch, OBD. I thought you were asking about Marty...

 

[shuswap]

Also, atlantic salmon may carry diseases that they are used to so they are relatively unaffected, while wild pacific stocks that havent evolved immunity to these diseases are more susceptible.

Well in the case of endemic diseases like IHN it's the other way around; however, vaccinations on the horizon could prevent these fish-kills with Atlantics.

 

[Whole in the Water]

So tell us WitW, are you suggesting Dr. Marty is not telling the truth?

I am saying that this may be a case (just like the Fed govt. scientists who have been recently complaining bitterly about being muzzled by the current administration) where researchers may very well be told by their political masters down through the hierarchy what they can and cannot say, what they can study and not study, etc. The politicians and their ministers are smart enough to not be too obvious in their direction to scientists, they just hint at incentives and disincentives of doing various research, provide funding in one area and take funding away in another, etc. and the scientists get the hint. If this was the case here, it would not be the first time this has happened in this province or country.

If the current party in power wants the Govt. to support and defend a certain industry from criticism and help it to expand, then that's what happens until a big or embarrassing enough problem causes this to stop. To believe that this does not happen is to be naïve and not very aware IMO.

 

[SpringVelocity]

OK I will compare this with something we are experiencing right now in my community, and it is related to what you are arguing. I am sure you aware from my threads that the community I live in Shawnigan Lake is fighting the government to stop them from placing toxic soil right on top of an active aquifer and just meters from a creek that flows in lake. In our case same thing applies we had MOE government backed specialists and also a board that was supposed to act independently. That hasn't happened. An entire community said no to project. It went to hearing and the MOE review board would not let us have any independent scientist or engineer testify...We weren't even allowed to ask questions to the company that designed the facility.

Polak and the premier have stood firm in parliament that all we do is wine, and its pretty clear that the industry is dictating what is best for our community not the citizens. The MOE have decided to go ahead with the dumping by issuing the permit. It is happening daily toxic soil from dredging of esquimalt , new developments etc. you name it is trucked up from Victoria area. Already we as a community are at over a million dollars fighting this.

The same non-independent review applies here. If there are so many outcries for these farms why do they exist? Why isn't the industry just moving to on land containment now instead of waiting to be told to do so. Even this government has given the North island money to develop a closed containment system which has been successful. But scientists acting independently? I personally haven't seen this in our issue here on my community. How can the scientists really do there job with funding cuts, and worried they wont have a job if they say anything... With any projects we need independent reviews from scientists/engineers away from industry or government.... Especially when it comes to environment. That is just my view from dealing with same sort of issue....

 

[Whole in the Water]

Sorry to hear about what your community has had to go through. This is an excellent example of politicians and the govt. scientists in their employ doing, researching and publishing what they are allowed to by their political masters. No thankfully this does not happen all the time, but it does happen too much. A very sad state of affairs that we should not stand for in a democratic society - I say vote the them out of office!

 

[OldBlackDog]

So, now what?
The Sceptics on this post say the government scientists are not telling us the truth!

They say that sceptics outside of the government are right and they believe in them?

So who are we to believe? The sceptics or the government?

 

[Whole in the Water]

I think as citizens privileged to live in a democracy we need to stay informed of the important issues, look at the information from both sides of the argument and make the best informed decisions we can as to what we support or fight against. History has proven that we can never sit back and trust the government or corporations to look out for our best interests. Almost every positive progressive change in the last 1000 years has come from concerned, principled and active citizens working and fighting, even to death at times, for change for the better. We must all be diligent in keeping our political leaders and the govt. staff that work for them as honest, fair and accountable as we can. We must do the same for the corporations and special interest groups on both sides of any issues as well. In most cases, the truth usually lies somewhere between the two opposing sides of most issues IMHO.

 

[OldBlackDog]

Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May called it a “tragedy” on Monday that the provincial government has allowed a contaminated soil dump near Shawnigan Lake.
The MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands said it’s foolish to be putting water supplies at risk on Vancouver Island.
“We should not be taking chances with our water,” said May. “As this summer continues, I think we’re going to recognize more by the week how much water is precious.”
May made the comments as she joined provincial NDP MLAs Doug Routley and Gary Holman, former provincial Liberal candidate Steve Housser and about 75 Shawnigan Lake residents on a protest line outside South Island Aggregates.
The protesters want the government to rescind a permit that allows the company to receive up to 100,000 tonnes of contaminated soil a year at a quarry on Stebbings Road owned by Cobble Hill Holdings Ltd.
Fearing toxins will leach into the region’s water supply, the Shawnigan Residents’ Association has also filed a court petition seeking to overturn a March 20 decision of the Environmental Appeal Board that upheld the permit.
There were no confrontations at the line while May was there Monday. One pickup truck was prevented from entering the site.
The company did not respond to a request for comment. Mike Kelly, president of Cobble Hill Holdings, said in a recent email to the Times Colonist that the company would not be commenting or issuing statements in light of ongoing court action.
May said she was “very distressed” when the project was first approved despite widespread opposition from area residents. “I feel as though it’s a — I’ll use the word — tragedy that the provincial government wasn’t listening,” she said. “That we got to this point, where people are protesting something that is underway — that’s what you don’t want to have happen; you want to hear the concerns.”
Environment Minister Mary Polak has defended the decision to grant a permit, saying it was based on a “scientific evaluation,” which was upheld on appeal.
But critics say the process was flawed and relied too heavily on the company’s own experts.
“My understanding is that they feel they’ve done everything legally, by science,” said Housser, who ran unsuccessfully for the Liberals in the Cowichan Valley in 2013. “So there’s a refuge behind that. But I think they’re going to find that the science is a crock.”
Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, said the government made a mess of what should have been a good-news story — the remediation of contaminated sites. “If they’d handled it more appropriately, everybody would be saying, ‘That’s a great thing they’re doing,’ ” he said. “Instead, they put it right over top of this watershed and created the predictable response.”
Routley said the government underestimated the community’s resolve and the growing opposition to the project. “It’s a pretty terrifying thing to think that your drinking water source is being imperilled by toxins,” he said.
Lindsey Henderson, who lives in Shawnigan Lake, said she’s worried for her children and grandchildren. “Just the idea of dumping toxic soil in a protected watershed is absurd.” She said the battle has ramifications for the rest of the province. “If this continues to go on here, then there’s no watershed that’s safe anywhere in British Columbia,” she said. “It’s not just about the 8,000 of us that live around the lake; it’s about the entire province.”
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/l...h-island-water-1.1969552#sthash.bikztnI2.dpuf

OK I will compare this with something we are experiencing right now in my community, and it is related to what you are arguing. I am sure you aware from my threads that the community I live in Shawnigan Lake is fighting the government to stop them from placing toxic soil right on top of an active aquifer and just meters from a creek that flows in lake. In our case same thing applies we had MOE government backed specialists and also a board that was supposed to act independently. That hasn't happened. An entire community said no to project. It went to hearing and the MOE review board would not let us have any independent scientist or engineer testify...We weren't even allowed to ask questions to the company that designed the facility.

Polak and the premier have stood firm in parliament that all we do is wine, and its pretty clear that the industry is dictating what is best for our community not the citizens. The MOE have decided to go ahead with the dumping by issuing the permit. It is happening daily toxic soil from dredging of esquimalt , new developments etc. you name it is trucked up from Victoria area. Already we as a community are at over a million dollars fighting this.

The same non-independent review applies here. If there are so many outcries for these farms why do they exist? Why isn't the industry just moving to on land containment now instead of waiting to be told to do so. Even this government has given the North island money to develop a closed containment system which has been successful. But scientists acting independently? I personally haven't seen this in our issue here on my community. How can the scientists really do there job with funding cuts, and worried they wont have a job if they say anything... With any projects we need independent reviews from scientists/engineers away from industry or government.... Especially when it comes to environment. That is just my view from dealing with same sort of issue....

 

[SpringVelocity]

Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May called it a “tragedy” on Monday that the provincial government has allowed a contaminated soil dump near Shawnigan Lake.
The MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands said it’s foolish to be putting water supplies at risk on Vancouver Island.
“We should not be taking chances with our water,” said May. “As this summer continues, I think we’re going to recognize more by the week how much water is precious.”
May made the comments as she joined provincial NDP MLAs Doug Routley and Gary Holman, former provincial Liberal candidate Steve Housser and about 75 Shawnigan Lake residents on a protest line outside South Island Aggregates.
The protesters want the government to rescind a permit that allows the company to receive up to 100,000 tonnes of contaminated soil a year at a quarry on Stebbings Road owned by Cobble Hill Holdings Ltd.
Fearing toxins will leach into the region’s water supply, the Shawnigan Residents’ Association has also filed a court petition seeking to overturn a March 20 decision of the Environmental Appeal Board that upheld the permit.
There were no confrontations at the line while May was there Monday. One pickup truck was prevented from entering the site.
The company did not respond to a request for comment. Mike Kelly, president of Cobble Hill Holdings, said in a recent email to the Times Colonist that the company would not be commenting or issuing statements in light of ongoing court action.
May said she was “very distressed” when the project was first approved despite widespread opposition from area residents. “I feel as though it’s a — I’ll use the word — tragedy that the provincial government wasn’t listening,” she said. “That we got to this point, where people are protesting something that is underway — that’s what you don’t want to have happen; you want to hear the concerns.”
Environment Minister Mary Polak has defended the decision to grant a permit, saying it was based on a “scientific evaluation,” which was upheld on appeal.
But critics say the process was flawed and relied too heavily on the company’s own experts.
“My understanding is that they feel they’ve done everything legally, by science,” said Housser, who ran unsuccessfully for the Liberals in the Cowichan Valley in 2013. “So there’s a refuge behind that. But I think they’re going to find that the science is a crock.”
Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, said the government made a mess of what should have been a good-news story — the remediation of contaminated sites. “If they’d handled it more appropriately, everybody would be saying, ‘That’s a great thing they’re doing,’ ” he said. “Instead, they put it right over top of this watershed and created the predictable response.”
Routley said the government underestimated the community’s resolve and the growing opposition to the project. “It’s a pretty terrifying thing to think that your drinking water source is being imperilled by toxins,” he said.
Lindsey Henderson, who lives in Shawnigan Lake, said she’s worried for her children and grandchildren. “Just the idea of dumping toxic soil in a protected watershed is absurd.” She said the battle has ramifications for the rest of the province. “If this continues to go on here, then there’s no watershed that’s safe anywhere in British Columbia,” she said. “It’s not just about the 8,000 of us that live around the lake; it’s about the entire province.”
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/l...h-island-water-1.1969552#sthash.bikztnI2.dpuf

I am glad that amuses you OBD. You are not living it my community I wish you would have as I am sure your view would change. Projects based on independent scientific evaluation is a myth that the government cares about its citizens. They throw it out there because they want us too believe they are overseeing everything. The government works for industry and over last few years I have seen it first hand. Campaign promises aren't free not matter what. Now in our case we all sit in a devalued homes, a community torn apart with anger/fear, millions of hard earned dollars gone from this community for legal expenses to fight this. Its truly sad for such a small community to go through this.

Why dont you go and talk to some of the citizens of Mt Polly how they feel about the science, and experts. We should be questioning any project that impacts the environment. The government is supposed to act for will of people not other way around.

 

[OldBlackDog]

Where did I say this amuses me? I just saw this article in the paper that backs up what you said.

People,are upset that the Government is using their science to push this on you.

That was one of the points, science is being used by the governments for their agenda's.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Where did I say this amuses me? I just saw this article in the paper that backs up what you said.

People,are upset that the Government is using their science to push this on you.

That was one of the points, science is being used by the governments for their agenda's.

Not a problem when you copy and paste things as I told a few that are do it..Its tough to find out what direction your coming from that is all..

 

[shuswap]

Why dont you go and talk to some of the citizens of Mt Polly how they feel about the science, and experts. We should be questioning any project that impacts the environment. The government is supposed to act for will of people not other way around.

Likely would basically be a ghost town if it were not for resource based industries like mining and forestry. While this tailings breach has concerned locals greatly they also know the reality of the situation. Have you ever spent much time there? I have....I worked in Likely at the hatchery back in the late 80s and make several trips there now for work. You talk about going to talk to the citizens there.....well...why don't you sometime? Go talk to the pub/restaurant owner or the motel owner in Likely. Go to Williams Lake and talk to the businesses that support those industries like mining. Damn right they didn't like what happened last year, but they also knows what contributes to their bottom line. Tourism is great to have, but many people in Likely work in resource industries and are looking forward to being able to work again. It is not the "will" of the people to not have resource-based industries like mining - it's to have an operation that doesn't repeat what happened on Aug 4th, 2014. Questioning is ok, wanting more responsible development is ok, but saying no because it impacts the environment is no a viable or realistic solution for most communities - especially in the Cariboo.

 

[bigdogeh]

The fact that it happened and was completely preventable should speak volumes. people knew it was in a bad state and it wasn't a matter of if, but when. And government and management turned a blind eye. there needs to be more accountability and our present government and some of todays large corporations mentalities of cutting back with regards to running at bare minimum standards and even below standards to try to make larger profits has to change. In todays day and age this just shouldn't have happened. Period! Why should they be given a second chance? Let another company in with a better track record and let them run it.

 

[agentaqua]

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/b-c-fish-farms-to-kill-300-000-salmon-1.908790

B.C. fish farms to kill 300,000 salmon

Farmed salmon
The head of a B.C. farmed salmon is seen in this file photo. (CTV)

CTV British Columbia
Published Thursday, August 9, 2012 10:32AM PDT

Two B.C. fish farms have received orders from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to kill more than 300,000 Atlantic salmon after the IHN virus was confirmed at both sites.

The BC Salmon Farmers Association said in a release the virus has now been confirmed at Mainstream Canada’s Millar Channel farm north of Tofino and Grieg Seafood’s Culloden Point farm in Jervis Inlet on the Sunshine Coast.

“The first priority for these companies is to work with CFIA to ensure that any depopulation is done quickly and safely,” said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director of the BCSFA.

Both companies tested positive for IHN last week during routine tests and followup tests confirmed the findings.

In June, Mainstream Canada culled more than 560,000 fish at one of its Dixon Bay farm, north of Tofino.

Related Stories

Fish farm industry netting $2.1 billion annually: report http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/fish-farm-industry-netting-2-1-billion-annually-report-1.505301
Unique fish farm aims to dash environmental concerns http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/unique-fish-farm-aims-to-dash-environmental-concerns-1.666844
Renewed calls for fish farm changes after escape http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/renewed-calls-for-fish-farm-changes-after-escape-1.447744
Another B.C. fish farm quarantined over salmon virus http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/another-b-c-fish-farm-quarantined-over-salmon-virus-1.833249
Third B.C. fish farm quarantined because of virus http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/third-b-c-fish-farm-quarantined-because-of-virus-1.831654

The virus is found in wild fish in the Pacific but does not pose a risk to human health.

The virus can cause death in young finfish raised in freshwater hatcheries, juveniles recently introduced to sea water and older finfish raised in sea water, states the agency on its website.

Susceptible to infection are 20 species found in the natural environment, including pink, chum, coho, sockeye and Atlantic salmon, as well as Pacific herring, the agency adds.

According to the agency, the virus is spread by contaminated equipment and contaminated water, and while there are no treatments available, vaccines are available to prevent the disease.

With files from the Canadian Press

 

[bigdogeh]

Do they still make money when they lose fish like this? (ie "crop insurance) I have a feeling they could care less and are compensated by you and I the taxpayer... hope I'm wrong but that's the skeptic I've become in regards to this industry....

 

[agentaqua]

Do they still make money when they lose fish like this? (ie "crop insurance) I have a feeling they could care less and are compensated by you and I the taxpayer... hope I'm wrong but that's the skeptic I've become in regards to this industry....

If CFIA orders them destroyed - yes they do - yes we do.

See: http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum...ish-farm-bailouts&highlight=CFIA+compensation

 

[agentaqua]

http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/07/10/Compensation-From-Fish-Farms/
Fishermen Offered $20,000 Compensation for Proposed Salmon Farms