Scientists criticize government decision not to participate in aquaculture inquiry

September 26, 2001 - VANCOUVER - The decision by the federal and provincial fisheries ministries not to participate in the upcoming Leggatt Inquiry into salmon farming in British Columbia is disappointing and short-sighted, the David Suzuki Foundation and scientists researching aquaculture said today.

Recent reports by both the federal Auditor General and the Senate fisheries committee contradict federal Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal's claim that sufficient and extensive scientific research into aquaculture is being carried out by his department and industry, says Jim Fulton, the Foundation's executive director.

"I find it beyond belief that Minister Dhaliwal claims all is well on the aquaculture research front in his department when only in June the Senate fisheries committee idenified serious gaps in government and industry research," Mr. Fulton said. "Only months before, the federal Auditor General raised similar concerns, and if the department is addressing these concerns why won't the minister explain how to Canadians at this independent public forum?"

Given that the provincial government is considering lifting the six-year moratorium on new salmon farms, the Leggatt Inquiry is an ideal forum for government officials to present their rationale to the public, said Mr. Fulton and two leading scientists in the field.

Last year, Simon Fraser University (SFU) hosted an academic workshop on salmon aquaculture and the protection of wild salmon stocks, which examined current research, says Dr. Rick Routledge, an SFU professor of environmental science.

"We identified many knowledge gaps at the workshop and if the government is now addressing these gaps we would like to know about it and learn what they are doing so that all research efforts can be better coordinated. I think the Leggatt Inquiry would be a good venue for the federal and provincial governments to share information," Professor Routledge said.

Dr. John Volpe of the University of Alberta is the leading Canadian scientist examining the effects of Atlantic salmon on wild Pacific salmon stocks. While conducting his doctoral research in BC, Dr. Volpe was surprised at the lack of support of and interest in his work by the federal ministry (DFO).

"What became very apparent was that DFO, in this instance, was not eager to ask questions they didn't want the answers to," Dr. Volpe said.

The David Suzuki Foundation will soon release a report by Dr. Volpe examing the effects of escaped farm Atlantic salmon on Pacific stocks in which his trials with DFO are outlined, Mr. Fulton said.

"I think British Columbians and Canadians concerned about our wild fish stocks will be very interested to learn how DFO treated one of the leading Canadian researchers in this field," said Mr. Fulton.

The Senate Fisheries Committee report released in June clearly identified shortcomings in government research.

"A major problem is the dearth of objective, scientific information on a number of environmental and ecological issues…. Without sound scientific knowledge, it is difficult to see how regulatory agencies can set meaningful standards, guidelines and objectives." (p. 69)

"More research will require an investment in additional resources. The amount of incremental funding ($12.5 million over five years) for environmental and ecological research for the whole of Canada - as was announced in August 2000 under the Program for Sustainable Aquaculture - is less than adequate when compared to the amount of incremental funding for applied research and development (e.g., under the PSA's Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development) and other activities aimed at promoting the sector's efficiency and competitiveness." (p. 70)

Canada's Auditor General also raised serious concerns.

"A major constraint to enforcing habitat provisions is the Department's lack of scientific information that would enable it to develop administrative criteria for what constitutes harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of habitat with respect to salmon farming. Without such information, field officers do not know how to monitor farming activities to ascertain compliance with the Act." (Chapter 30, p. 30)

Given such serious criticism of government policy and management, both fisheries ministeries are losing an optimum opportunity to tell Canadians what they are doing differently and how they plan to address these serious problems, Mr. Fulton says.

"I hope people will let their member of Parliament and their member of BC's Legislature know what they think of their actions," he said.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jean Kavanagh, David Suzuki Foundation, 604-732-4228.