Re: “Safety first on fish farms,” editorial, Jan. 18.
The editorial does not correctly identify what Justice Bruce Cohen found to be the most likely factor for the poor survival of 2009 Fraser River sockeye. This direct quote, taken from the final report, states with no ambiguity what Cohen deemed responsible:
“I am also satisfied that marine conditions in both the Strait of Georgia and Queen Charlotte Sound in 2007 were likely to be the primary factors responsible for the poor returns in 2009. Abnormally high freshwater discharge, warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures, strong winds and lower-than-normal salinity may have resulted in abnormally low phytoplankton and nitrate concentrations that could have led to poor zooplankton [food for sockeye] production.”
Cohen’s statement alone is as close as one will ever get to a smoking gun — and it was held by Mother Nature. It is truly unfortunate that selective reading of the final report fostered misconceptions of responsibility.
Dr. Wayne Dwernychuk
Parksville
