MILLERTIME
Member
21 Sep 2011Times ColonistMARY ELLEN WALLING Mary Ellen Walling is the executive director of the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association.
Understand data in the salmon-farm debate
With more information out there, it’s important to take it in context
The old saying that the only constant in life is change is certainly true when it comes to business in British Columbia. The most successful companies are those willing and able to adapt to changes in regulation, market and, of course, public expectations.
The increasing information being released regarding B.C.’s salmon farming industry is a good example of that. While the finfish aquaculture sector in the province was already ahead of many food production industries with the amount of publicly accessible information it produced, industry and regulators have heard clearly that some in the public want more. And that’s what they’re getting.
Thousands of data points are now public, through the B.C. Salmon Farmers’ Association’s direct release, ongoing updates from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the releases made possible through the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the decline of Fraser River sockeye salmon.
It’s a step that we feel will be a good one, but it does present a few challenges to our business. Releasing increased amounts of data makes the application of context ever more important. Many of the reports we are releasing had, as their original purpose, the transfer of information between skilled technical professionals. As a result, it opens industry up to those who may misinterpret or misrepresent that information.
For example, much has been made by some vehement critics about symptoms of a disease being reported in our fish health database. They suggest it means the disease is here. Industry and the professionals who manage that information have to step up to explain fully what those symptoms do and do not mean. In this case, it does not mean the disease is here, just as a runny nose doesn’t mean a person has swine flu.
There are extensive processes in place for the analysis and diagnosis of fish health and that work is done by experts. The risk that their information may be misinterpreted increases the onus they have to make sure their work is understood and its integrity respected.
It also means being up front about our challenges. As the Times Colonist reported recently, increased sea lion populations in Quatsino Sound early this year were difficult for farmers there. We hope that having the information available from the DFO on the number of animals killed and being available to answer questions will enable people to have a reasonable discussion about this and other topics.
Nonetheless, there will be people who cherry-pick information to instil fear and uncertainty. If they can’t do it with the information as reported, we’ll see suggestions that we’re lying or holding back despite our information being audited by regulators. We understand that creates more responsibility for us to provide context critics are unwilling to provide, and to continue our consistent and honest approach to communications.
For other agriculture and food businesses, this movement could mean big changes in the future. The consistency of change, and all the challenges and opportunities it presents, applies to all of us in B.C.
It’s a responsibility, however, that we are facing head on. We take seriously the concerns of the public and our commitment to producing a healthy sustainable food while protecting investment and opportunities on B.C.’s coast.
Understand data in the salmon-farm debate
With more information out there, it’s important to take it in context
The old saying that the only constant in life is change is certainly true when it comes to business in British Columbia. The most successful companies are those willing and able to adapt to changes in regulation, market and, of course, public expectations.
The increasing information being released regarding B.C.’s salmon farming industry is a good example of that. While the finfish aquaculture sector in the province was already ahead of many food production industries with the amount of publicly accessible information it produced, industry and regulators have heard clearly that some in the public want more. And that’s what they’re getting.
Thousands of data points are now public, through the B.C. Salmon Farmers’ Association’s direct release, ongoing updates from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the releases made possible through the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the decline of Fraser River sockeye salmon.
It’s a step that we feel will be a good one, but it does present a few challenges to our business. Releasing increased amounts of data makes the application of context ever more important. Many of the reports we are releasing had, as their original purpose, the transfer of information between skilled technical professionals. As a result, it opens industry up to those who may misinterpret or misrepresent that information.
For example, much has been made by some vehement critics about symptoms of a disease being reported in our fish health database. They suggest it means the disease is here. Industry and the professionals who manage that information have to step up to explain fully what those symptoms do and do not mean. In this case, it does not mean the disease is here, just as a runny nose doesn’t mean a person has swine flu.
There are extensive processes in place for the analysis and diagnosis of fish health and that work is done by experts. The risk that their information may be misinterpreted increases the onus they have to make sure their work is understood and its integrity respected.
It also means being up front about our challenges. As the Times Colonist reported recently, increased sea lion populations in Quatsino Sound early this year were difficult for farmers there. We hope that having the information available from the DFO on the number of animals killed and being available to answer questions will enable people to have a reasonable discussion about this and other topics.
Nonetheless, there will be people who cherry-pick information to instil fear and uncertainty. If they can’t do it with the information as reported, we’ll see suggestions that we’re lying or holding back despite our information being audited by regulators. We understand that creates more responsibility for us to provide context critics are unwilling to provide, and to continue our consistent and honest approach to communications.
For other agriculture and food businesses, this movement could mean big changes in the future. The consistency of change, and all the challenges and opportunities it presents, applies to all of us in B.C.
It’s a responsibility, however, that we are facing head on. We take seriously the concerns of the public and our commitment to producing a healthy sustainable food while protecting investment and opportunities on B.C.’s coast.
