I applaud Port Moody-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly’s Bill C-228 to control salmon farms destruction of wild salmon. I am a coordinator of the Squamish Streamkeepers, which was formed in the 1990s when coho salmon stocks collapsed on the West Coast of B.C. Every coho stream in the Squamish River watershed was improved by the federal Department of Fisheries in conjunction with the historic insights given by the Streamkeepers. The number of juvenile coho leaving the gravel beds did rise but the number of coho salmon returning to spawn did not increase much in comparison.
This indicates that there was a problem with ocean survival of these coho. It didn’t take long to discover that the main area of saltwater distress for these coho was above Campbell River and south of Port Hardy. Coho there were seen covered in sea lice, which in turn seemed to carry deadly diseases that shortened the lifespan of these fish. The source of the deadly sea lice infestation seemed obvious – the numerous salmon farms found throughout the area.
While our success rate with enhancing coho stocks in the Howe Sound area has been minimal, we have had tremendous results with bringing back the local herring population that had been killed off 30 years ago by industrial damage to their historic spawning grounds. The likely explanation as to why the herring are now doing well is that they spawn on protective materials we have wrapped around creosote pilings so their eggs hatch out. Perhaps equally important, the herring stay in lower Georgia Strait so are not exposed to the salmon disease fest farther north. We appear to be getting similar good results with the False Creek herring run, which will have its first big return next February.
I applaud the motion as it obvious to me that Mr. Donnelly has gone out into the real world and seen the real problem with salmon. If Bill C-228 passes this fall, it will allow us to eventually return our wild salmon levels back to what they once were. I encourage others to express their insights while the chance for change is here.
Jon Matsen
Squamish Streamkeepers
