Fish farming regulations are stringent in BC, Canada

Bad salmon farming practices in a different country must not affect our stringently regulated fish farming industry.

“VANCOUVER—A Washington senator says he wants to see British Columbia join the state in phasing out ocean-based Atlantic salmon farms when the province decides whether to renew farm leases in June. The move to phase out fish farms comes after hundreds of thousands of Atlantic salmon escaped last summer from a farm in Washington state, owned by Canadian company Cooke Aquaculture.” (The Star – link below)

A report by state agencies found that Cooke Aquaculture Pacific failed to adequately clean nets holding farmed salmon. The nets failed because they were excessively laden with over 100 tonnes of mussels and other marine organisms, which increased the weight on the nets from tidal currents and weakened their mooring system leading to a net pen failure.

Canada is a leader in best practices when it comes to aquaculture.

Bad salmon farming practices in a different country must not affect our stringently regulated industry. We must protect our marine resources and the interest of Canadians.

In British Columbia, the aquaculture industry is regulated and managed by the federal government. This responsibility includes monitoring farmed fish health and assessing potential impact to the environment, and enforcing the Fisheries Act and Regulations.

The US senator is most likely not aware of Canadian regulations that govern things like containment.

DFO conducts unexpected inspections with high expectations of regulations adherence. After all the records are checked and cross referenced, and a real time viewing of the underwater monitors are observed, the inspection continues with a visual scrutiny of the nets and containment array, checking for taut nets and proper predator controls placements.

Watch the video below to see how inspections are carried out by Fisheries and Ocean Canada.

Fisheries Acts and Regulations

thestar.com