Fish farms in B.C. are spreading disease and parasites to wild fish in coastal waters. They may be causing more harm to the environment than is currently known. Impacts on the iconic wild salmon may not be worth the financial benefit the industry is providing the province’s economy. Research shows that wild salmon are exposed to disease and parasites that can be traced back to fish farms.
There are approximately fifty active fish farms in B.C. waters. A 2018 article by The Star Vancouver says farmers in the province harvested almost $760 million in farmed fish in 2016, B.C.’s largest agricultural food export. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for regulating companies to insure the fish are healthy. Although, current legislation limits the options that officials have to hold non-compliant farms accountable. Non-compliant farms are only taken to court by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in severe cases.
In the 2018 article by The Star Vancouver, Julie Gelfand, Environment Commissioner of Canada, and other critics claim that Fisheries and Oceans Canada fail to manage the threat fish farms raise to B.C.’s wild salmon population. Critics argue that not enough is done to enforce the rules that are in place.
A 2017 research report on Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV) says wild salmon on the coast are being infected with a virus called PRV. Studies on Pacific and Atlantic salmon show the high rate of infection in wild salmon relates to their exposure to fish farms. Salmon exposed to open-net farms have greater chances of being infected.
The report on PRV, says that it causes an infection in the blood cells of salmon, lowering their oxygen levels. This affects their fitness level, which will threaten their ability to reproduce. A 2017 article by CBC News says wild salmon depend on fitness for survival. Swimming upstream is hard for salmon with reduced oxygen. When they can’t reach their spawning grounds salmon populations become less sustainable.
In the 2017 CBC News article, Alexandra Morton, lead author of the PRV report says "The government has to remove this industry from the key salmon migration routes or we risk the complete loss of wild salmon in this province."
The Star Vancouver article says sea lice are another serious threat. Over 10% of parasite counts in the industry in 2018 were above the threshold for sea lice. Fish farms are a breeding ground for lice. Young wild salmon can die from lice, and are most vulnerable to them on their first journey to the open sea.
In the 2018 article in The Star Vancouver, conservation ecologist Michael Price says the wild salmon will grow slower, have a harder time competing for food, and face more challenges escaping predators. While fish farms remain open to the environment, pathogens and parasites can pass between farmed and wild salmon.
The 2018 article by CBC News says sea lice concern opponents of fish farms. They are convinced the concentration of large populations of fish in farms are increasing the amount of lice in the ocean.
In the 2018 CBC News article, Ernest Alfred, a chief of the Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay says "There is no such thing as reconciliation in this territory as long as these farms exist. They're not welcome here. They don't have social licence; they hardly have a legal stance."
His opposition to the farms is supported by bands and councils in the area. Alfred says the land and waters are unceded. He predicts First Nations will gain control of the territory. There has been a long court battle, as well as negotiations with the federal, and provincial governments.
Not all First Nations are opposed, some believe more farms could be built safely. Many indigenous people work for salmon farms, or the industry. 6,600 jobs in B.C. are related to its fish farming industry, earning $1.5 billion in revenue. Ending their leases could have a considerable impact.
Washington State banned Atlantic salmon farming in its waters, many have been moved onto land. In the 2018 CBC News article Alexandra Morton says, companies could move to land-based farms, where they would be contained. Although, members of the industry argue that this is not a sustainable business, and it’s not profitable.
The industry’s financial benefits to the economy could be distracting from the cost to the environment. The ocean and surrounding habitats are not currently being given proper consideration. Until further research can be done, the responsibility we have to our environment needs to be upheld. First Nations should be properly consulted regarding fish farming in B.C. The industry may need be stopped, and thoroughly reviewed to prevent further damage to the environment.
