I see ten of thousands of salmon each year for the last ten years and I have never see anything like that. But then again I don't look at Atlantic salmon in the stores. I see genetic problems in fry after they hatch but they don't live long as they don't compete with the healthy fish at our local community hatchery. That's the thing with nature, if the genetic expression has a benefit then it survives. If not, nature deals with it and they die. I see hundreds to thousands of adults in the fall and I have not seen genetic mutations in them either. Sick fish, yes, damaged fish, yes but mutations, no. There is no way that nature would be kind to an effed up fish like that in the ocean.
Well, I guess we will have to agree to disagree with the photo. Seen lots of fish also - it’s my job. A fish with a mutation doesn’t necessarily die at the fry stage (as you can see in the photo). If you can find another explanation as to why that fish looks like that then I am all ears, but until then I will defer to my own opinion in the absence of clarifying information to the contrary. If you find out the source of that fish photo from the author of that booklet let me know.
This is all pointless as your argument against that PDF is what I call "look we have pandas" you point out something that is questionable to try to discredit everything. I don't work on me as I have far to many years looking at arguments on other issues. I have been looking at fish farms issues for many years and I have come to the conclusion that the risk that industry, in it's current form, is way to big for our wild salmon. I'm not the only one that has this view. I talk with many other community based hatchery people and 99% fell the same way. I talk to hundreds of rec anglers and 99% feel the same way. Cohen has that view as well as many panels we have had in BC over the years. The recent court case that fish farms lost is just another example of this. How many times do we need to go through this until it sinks in?
I disagree – it’s not pointless at all. Sorry, I am not one of those that nods my head in unison when items like that booklet and that letter are posted. In my opinion, it seems on here that if something is produced by Alexandra Morton (i.e. this booklet) it is not to be questioned or those doing the questioning hate wild salmon or are company shrills. Neither is the case here I can assure you. All I am trying to do here provide another perspective here. If you don’t agree that is fine. If it challenges your opinion is that necessarily a bad thing? There are other things in that booklet that are wrong, exaggerated or missing context, but I don’t have the time to go point by point. I would rather go fishing and play with my kids.
June 5 / 2015 - 93 days left in your court order to clean up your effing act.
What are you going to do?
What am I going to do? Well, I have field work planned this season; fishing with my 4 year old daughter; dryfly fishing on some local small lakes; a BC Lions game with my kids in August; some mountain bike riding; and a possible trip back east to visit relatives. Do you want me to wear a GPS tracking device so you can track my movements so I am not unexpectedly found working at Marine Harvest trying to clean up my effing act? However, they might look at me a little strange if I were to show up considering that I DON’T WORK THERE.
I don't know much about toxic blooms but the Fraser River does not effect fish farms north of Campbell River.
May I suggest that you pick up the book "The Sea Among Us" by Beamish and McFarlane if you want to understand how the SoG works and the Fraser River influence.
As for shyt from fish farms.... we know it's a problem, that's why there is a push for multi-trophic fish farms.
I actually have that book. My point about the Fraser River plume was meant more to say that it influences salinity – not specifically directed at aquaculture. I am not an expert with toxic algal blooms either, but I try to take in as much as I can on the subject by looking at the relevant literature – especially as it pertains to our coast. Although some localized nutrient enrichment from fish farms is possible, the literature as it pertains to our coast is not supportive of the view that fish farms are a significant factor with harmful algal blooms. You don't have to take my word for it - by all means look at the literature for this area and see for yourself. Part of this reason is that farms here are situated in areas where the tides flush the surface water well. The more frequent and intense blooms of Heterosigma seem to occur in the Southern Strait of Georgia where there are no fish farms, but the influence of the Fraser River is more pronounced. If you want to understand more about toxic algal blooms there is more information out there, such as the published work from Harmful Algae Monitoring Program, or you can get your information from sources like that booklet. Your choice.