DFO must take leadership on salmon farm issue, says Suzuki Foundation

July 30, 2004 -

VANCOUVER, July 30, 2004 – The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ latest data on sea lice in the Broughton Archipelago supports existing data from the scientific community: the prevalence of sea lice among wild salmon stocks is abnormally high, and the number of lice per fish is also well above natural levels.

The combination of this, and other scientific evidence, strongly suggests that these sea lice are contributing to the massive population crash of pink salmon in the area.

But unfortunately, DFO’s interpretation of this data indicates that the agency is clearly unwilling to take the responsibility and leadership necessary to do something about it.

In spite of a growing mountain of independent scientific studies, DFO has repeatedly, and consistently, refused to acknowledge any connection between open-netcage salmon farming and the deadly lice epidemic among wild pink salmon stocks.

“Enough is enough,” says Jay Ritchlin, Marine Campaigner with the David Suzuki Foundation.  “The connection between sea lice and salmon farms is well-established.  The wild fish are infested and the situation is not improving.”

Salmon stocks in the archipelago suffered a serious decline in 2002.  The area now has 27 commercial farms in operation – the largest concentration on the BC coast.

DFO’s evasiveness in the face of scientific evidence and international pressure leads concerned groups to conclude that the agency is putting political and economic interests well before environmental concerns, community needs, and more importantly, the health and long-term survival of the wild fish.

“Canada has made international commitments to use the ‘precautionary principle.’” Ritchlin says.  “We have ample evidence of the potential for serious harm to wild fish and DFO has an obligation to act. They should close the farms down now and eliminate all open netcages from wild salmon areas – or we can keep talking in circles until the salmon runs collapse altogether.”

For more information contact:

Jay Ritchlin
Marine Campaigner
David Suzuki Foundation
Office: 604-732-4228, ext. 234
Cell: 604-721-1536

Jennifer Brown
Communications Specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Office: 604-732-4228, ext. 229