EDITOR,
Re: "Salmon, anyone?" Editorial, April 22.
When it comes to questions of sustainability, it seems everyone has a different perspective, a different motivation - and a different calculation by which to assess need and success.
For B.C.'s salmon-farming industry, those varied perspectives have helped to encourage research and development, solid public policy and proactive improvement.
Many stakeholder groups - First Nations, environmentalists, researchers and scientists, stewardship groups - have worked for many years to learn more about the natural environment, the industry and to find a proactive way forward. We and our partners agree with Mr. Burke that decisions about the industry have to be made on sound science.
It is always a challenge to present all information so everyone can work from the same starting point. For example, Mr. Burke's editorial talks about lessons learned from Norway's industry experience. Yes, the industry is older and more experienced and therefore has knowledge to share - but the column's statements about Atlantics there colonizing and out-competing with wild fish, or their experiences with sea lice, don't serve up a full plate of information with reference to B.C.
The editorial doesn't include explanations of the different size and make-up of wild fish populations, the variation in ecological conditions of the two regions, research into the colonizing and breeding behaviour of Atlantic salmon in the Pacific or the genomic differences between sea lice in the two oceans.
We've heard these concerns. Significant research has been done and we have many answers. We will continue that work out of respect for our business, our communities, our environment and our critics. When people learn more about this complex debate, we find their questions about sustainability and with us focus on continued improvement and ensuring our sustainable industry continues to build a future for coastal British Columbia.
Mary Ellen WallingExecutive Director, B.C. Salmon Farmers Association
Campbell River
