Re: “Safety first on fish farms,” editorial, Jan. 18.
The editorial makes some important points about salmon farming, but we want to address a lingering misconception that a “moratorium” has been lifted on the entire B.C. coast. While a delay in site-amendment application processing was in place during the Cohen Commission, this delay has now ended, aside from a small area identified by Cohen as requiring more research where a moratorium is now in place.
Most applications the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has on file were submitted before the Cohen Commission began. The acceptance of an application is the first step in a long, complex process, and this return to business does not mean there will be a flood of new applications or rapid expansion.
However, we do believe that well-managed growth is a good thing because of the reasons outlined in the editorial. Salmon farming is a significant component of B.C.’s economy. Done properly and safely, aquaculture is a reliable and healthy food supply that helps to conserve our oceans. We agree that government policy and regulations should be science-based and accept Cohen’s conclusion that while he found no evidence that salmon farms were impacting Fraser River sockeye, more data was needed to confirm his findings. This is why B.C.’s salmon farmers are supportive of and co-operating with new research on wild salmon in British Columbia.
Allowing site-amendment applications to proceed will enable our member companies to continue doing business in B.C., setting the standard for environmental protection and sustainability while raising a world-class, in-demand and delicious food.
Colleen Dane, communications manager
B.C. Salmon Farmers Association
