Governments must act on Auditor-Generals’ recommendations to save salmon

October 26, 2004 -

VANCOUVER - The Auditor-Generals’ reports on salmon are the first frank, impartial, and clear-headed government evaluations of the shortcomings of the federal and provincial governments in protecting wild salmon and regulating aquaculture, says the David Suzuki Foundation.

Released today, the three reports address decades of concerns raised by conservationists, First Nations, commercial fishermen and other Canadians about the plight of wild salmon.

"Today’s audits are long overdue," says Jay Ritchlin, marine campaigner for the David Suzuki Foundation. "Finally, we have government reports which reflect the kind of impartiality and candor desperately needed for developing a long-term and sustainable salmon management strategy."

The reports outline several key areas in which governments are failing to effectively manage one of Canada’s natural resources:

- Wild salmon and habitat remain susceptible to the effects of salmon aquaculture;

- There is a lack of quality science on cumulative effects of aquaculture on wild stocks;

- Siting decisions for salmon farms are being made with incomplete information;

- The federal government has not completed the long-awaited Wild Salmon Policy;

- There is no comprehensive evaluation of the status of wild salmon habitat.
 
"The reports point out the inherent contradictions that arise when governments are mandated to protect wild salmon, but advocate at the same time for expansion of the aquaculture industry," says Ritchlin.

Both provincially and federally, there has been an ongoing erosion of staff and resources dedicated to protecting wild salmon and their habitat, according to the reports.

"We clearly need a wild salmon policy and a renewed financial and staff commitment to effectively manage the resource," says Bill Wareham, acting director of marine conservation for the David Suzuki Foundation. "We also need independent science on the cumulative impacts of aquaculture on wild fish and fish habitat."

For more information, contact:

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