Research & Articles

Involvement of foreign foundations in Canada: Senate discussion (2012)

Canadian Senator Nicole Eaton announced Feb. 2, 2012 that she will be launching a new inquiry into the involvement of foreign foundations in Canada's domestic affairs and their abuse of existing Revenue Canada's charitable status.

"This inquiry is about masters of manipulation who are hiding behind charitable organizations to manipulate our policies to their own advantage," she told the Senate Feb. 2.

One Canadian business which has been particularly hard-hit has been B.C. salmon farming, which has been victim of a demarketing campaign, she said. 

"De-marketing is reducing or shifting the demand. This tactic has been used against Canadian forest products and, more recently, Alberta oil, but the Canadian export that has been hardest hit is farmed salmon," she said. "What is the result? Since 2003, the ex-vessel value of Alaskan salmon has more than tripled to $500 million at the expense of B.C. salmon."

Click here to download and read the full transcript of her statements in the Senate. 

Anatomy of Deception (2012)

When anti-salmon farming activists announced the discovery of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in British Columbia Virus in B.C. last fall it was the beginning of a media storm of innuendo, exaggeration and half-truths. 

Brad Hicks, a long-time veteran of the salmon farming industry, published an excellent analysis of what was said about ISA, what wasn't said and what it all means for farmed and wild fish in B.C.

Click here to download and read the full article "Anatomy of Deception."

Could escaped Atlantic salmon colonize B.C. waters? (2011)

If farmed Atlantic salmon escape, could they survive long enough to reproduce and colonize B.C. waters?

More than 100 years of science and experience says no. In fact, Atlantic salmon were deliberately introduced to B.C., Washington, Oregon and California in the tens of millions in an attempt to establish Atlantic salmon, considered by many European immigrants a century ago to be the "king of fish," for sport fishing. All attempts failed and no Atlantic salmon were ever able to establish self-sustaining populations. 

Click here to view a timeline showing how Atlantic salmon were introduced to the Pacific Northwest as early as 1874.

Sea Lice and Salmon Farms:  A Second Look. (2009)
Dr. Brian Harvey

In 2007, Brian Harvey was engaged by the B.C. Pacific Salmon Forum to create an independent overview of recent research on the interaction between sea lice and juvenile Pacific salmon in the Broughton Archipelago. His report "Science and Sea Lice:  What Do We Know?" was published in 2008.  The following report brings the science up to date to February 2009.

To download the 2009 report click here.

BC Pacific Salmon Forum
Final Report and Recommendations. (2009).

The BC Pacific Salmon Forum was an initiative of the Government of BC announced by Premier Campbell in December 2004.  At that time, the government appointed seven individuals who would provide the direction required to enable the Province to realize the vision of an inclusive fishery sector that is financially viable.  The mandate of the BC Pacific Salmon Forum was to develop policy recommendations to:

• Protect and enhance the viability of wild salmon stocks and their economic, social and environmental benefits to British Columbians.
• Increase public confidence in fisheries management generally, and aquaculture in particular, in the marine environment.
• Enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of aquaculture for all coastal communities.

To download the final report and recommendations click here.

Fish Health Program Annual Report (2008)
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

The Province of British Columbia (BC) established a comprehensive health management program for salmon aquaculture and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (BCMAL) has been verifying compliance and assessing performance of the program since 2003. The Fish Health Program includes a requirement for on-farm health management plans, mandatory monitoring and reporting of disease events, and a BCMAL audit of industry-reported information. 

To download the 2008 report click here.

Overview of Sea Lice Issues and Risks for Farmed and Wild Salmon in British Columbia. (2008)
Dr. Sonya Saksida and Elan Downey.

This report summarizes the state of knowledge regarding sea lice research in British Columbia. The report's objective is to provide a critical review of research, both past and present, on the effects of sea lice on farmed and wild salmonids in British Columbia. Minimal emphasis will be placed on research conducted in other salmon farming regions in either North America or internationally.  A summary of current ongoing projects will be presented as well.

To download the report click here. 

"Sustainable Feed Resources of Marine Origin"
Presented at Aquaculture Europe 2005

Abstract
The rapid growth of aquaculture has led to increasing demand for fishmeal and fish oil -
especially to feed carnivorous fish species at the expense of terrestrial livestock feeds.
But raw material production from industrial 'feed-grade' fish has not increased - nor will
it in the future. Fishery controls, especially quotas, govern production. The industry
supports the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and its call for ecosystem
management over and above that of TAC's of individual stocks. This is reflected in
widespread controls for feed grade fisheries based on advice from Government agencies,
such as ICES in Europe, IMARPE in Peru and IFOP in Chile, - which are outlined.
Much of the criticism levelled against the industry is misplaced, but not all feed grade
fisheries are fully sustainable and specific areas for improvement are commented on.

To download the full report click here

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