Battle In the Broughton Archipelago

G

gimp

New member
I will only post this once to not offend anyone whos opinion differs from mine. I only ask that you take a few minuets to check out the links that show what is going on with the wild salmon in the area. The decision is up to you to get involved or not.

to start
http://www.callingfromthecoast.org/
all short clips

http://savebcsalmon.ca/

http://www.adopt-a-fry.org/

http://www.raincoastresearch.org/

the last is and ongoing discussion between fisherman and fish farmers

http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/top ... IC_ID=8847

enjoy and again I hope I have not offended any one
 
I don't have enough facts to form an opinion, but I did just spend 6 weeks + in this area. Campbell River area, South of Cape Mudge, has the best Salmon Run that they have seen in 10 years currently. I didn't quite understand what the guide told me, but the implication was that the current fish are not Fraiser River fish.

The Salmon Fisheries were very depressed in all other areas where we boated--we just didn't see any caught.

On top of that at least one pen of farmed Salmon, near Campbell river broke open repleasing close to 400,000 ready to market fish. (Atlantic Salmon). The response to this seemed slow to us (should have had a seine boat there virtually immediately--there were some in Campbell River I believe at that time.

We will not buy farmed salmon.
 
I first became aware of this issue when I watched a video biography of Alexandra Morton on HBO (might still be available via Video on Demand), which led me to read her book about Billy Proctor.

The data is pretty convincing (to me) that fish farming has harmed wild salmon stocks in the Broughton Archipelago.

Warren
 
Brats,

I have been following this problem for several years now. I've met Billy Proctor and Alexandra Morton, both locals in the Echo Bay area.

I believe the fish farms are harming the wild salmon, and I too,
don't eat farmed salmon.

If you care about the salmon or the Broughton's, read up on this problem and do what you can, and most of all,

DON'T EAT OCEAN FARMED SALMON!
 
In addition to the book mentioned by Warren you can also try Full Moon Flood Tide by Billy Proctor and Yvonne Maximchuk. If you visit Billy's museum you can donate to the cause (even buy the T shirt it' s pretty cool).

If you are brave enough you can discuss the subject with him. Just wish the regulators and big business could see the common sense that he advocates and there would be fish for all.

Merv
 
I'm glad you brought up this post .... the more people are informed the better .. their are a lot of things that effect wild salmon over fishing and habitat are eventually addressed .. fish farms are under the direction of our provincial government and its bad enough when you do nothing but in this case their supporting fish farms even when the destruction is flaunted under their nose (sea lice) ... the layman's term for that is they have been bought off ..



raise cane where ever you live :amgry
 
In the event that people start farming salmon in a way in which the fish and water are isolated entirely from the wild stocks AND there is no chance of large net pen releases, then I might reconsider. Until then, I too stick by the "friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon" rule. In addition to their effect on the wild stocks, they don't taste near as good as an ocean run/ocean feeding coho or king anyway.
 
It is good to see someone with Rogerbum's credentials support this. I agree fully tht if salmon are raised in such a way they can not harm wild stocks, I would reconsider eating farmed salmon. I live in a fishing community, and the effect of farmed salmon on the economic vitality of trollers and similar who fish for a living is definitely compromised by the undercutting farmed fish allows. Farms outside BC, in other hemispheres are not generally run so well as the ones in BC.

The other side of this coin is that the loss of runs has made it increasingly difficult for folks who smoke and sell smoked fish can not rely on wild sources for a steady supply; they are in a bind, and I appreciate they have to compromise at times.
 
I'm not really an activist personality type but I do believe that salmon farms cause harm to wild salmon runs. I wouldn't trust an industry group's research at all when forming an opinion. My response is like many others here: I won't purchase farmed salmon. I had the chance to register my "vote" on this issue this morning at Costco as a matter of fact. Enjoy the good weather! Mike.
 
Also, check out the current issue of Nor'westing. In it there is an article by a guy who used to be on an advisory board or commission in BC that regulates the fish farming industry. He describes his transformation from booster (of fish farming) to skeptic. His most damning comment, from my POV, is his call for independent peer-reviewed scientific studies of the situation because, he says, the Canadian DFO is entirely too chummy with the industry and the "science" from that office is suspect.

Warren
 
Back
Top