sg egumeennguansen seen ee nce eee | ; CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD Ee Ye ee i es , : The following. is a response from federal ‘fisheries minister Geoff Regan to a letter from Mary Dalen of Kitwanga_ regarding + salinon farming. Dalen’s letter was pub- = ‘ ‘lished last week, . "Dear Mrs. Dalen: » Thank you for your correspondence -dated May 7, 2005, regarding the potential ‘for salmon farming: near’the mouth of the Skeena River. + Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) rec- ‘ognizes the value of the wild Pacific salmon ‘resource to Canadians in British Columbia. + Pacific salmon provide nourishment - for scomplex natural webs of inter-connected i species; food and cultural identity for First y Nations; and economic benefits and enjoy- iment for other communities, businesses, and | people. i First, regarding the request fora mora-_. ttorium on open net cage salmon farming, I _ {wish to inform you that that authority lies i ; with the Province of British Columbia. You asked that salmon farming issues | b 7 “World experts on sea lice | tdo not dispute the incidence of ' tseal lice on salmon farms.” “8 ’ be properly addressed by science. One of ‘DFO’ s key contributions to the question of >salmon farming is its science. Our integrated research and science. ad- i vice program on the ecosystem effects our }aquaculture details the interactions that sce we 2 >salmon farming has with its environment. | . This information is crucial for the depart- ; ment to make informed decisions. ; Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s State-of- | Knowledge Initiative isa scientific review . of the potential environmental: effects of aquaculture. In total, the department plans to . - }publish twelve papers as part of the State- of-Knowledge. Initiative. Six have been pub- lished to date. « This peer-reviewed initiative: identifies ‘knowledge gaps and research needs as deter- mined by an assessment of current scientific information regarding the impacts of wastes, chemicals used by the industry, and interac- ‘between farmed fish and wild species. ing: existing scientific knowledge to recom- mend tools for assessing the habitat effects SNireritly: the® ‘departiiientt "18" ‘Teview-— ne ‘The Mail Bag © Feds keeping an eye on salmon farming of salmon aquaculture and to determine the sensitivity of specific fish habitat. Ultimately, this scientific advice will add to a growing body of knowledge that enables us to ensure the appropriate siting of aqua- culture facilities and the proper regulation of _ ongoing aquaculture operations to minimize the effects on fish habitat, thereby contribut- — ‘ing to the environmental sustainability of the industry. ' Scientific literature has been interpreted by some to conclude that a negative cause-. and-effect relationship exists.,between sea lice, fish farms, and pink salmon returns. This interpretation has led to claims that cer- tain populations of wild salmon are threat- ened by extinction unless net pen salmon farms are removed from British Columbia’s coastal waters. World.experts on sea lice do not dispute the incidence of sea lice on salmon farms. These: scientists do dispute evidence of a negative. cause-and-effect relationship, -and therefore view the impacts on wild salmon attributed to sea lice as speculative. For this reason, and based on a growing body of knowledge on wild salmon popu- lation, dynamics, many scientists caution against overreacting. And environmental physiologist and Senior Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Scott McKinley, states that the “contro- versy over sea lice from farmed fish infect- ing wild fish is based on correlations.. There is no study published showing a cause-and-effect relationship. We cannot ask industry to spend millions of dollars. on fallowing certain areas or using chemi- cal treatments unless you have substantiated . proof that there is a problem.” . DFO scientists are looking at all the : causes of sea lice outbreaks in wild salmon - including water salinity, temperature, and fish farms - and is investigating the impact, -if any, sea lice have on the health of outward- . Migrating wild salmon. I appreciate the dedication of individuals - 7 _ like you who continually challenge govern-° | ments, industries, and regulators to weigh the costs of every decision, and to’continue - searching for sustainable answers. Thank you for your letter, and for your ongoing in- terest. . Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa, Ontario Qua: Quality People 3 eee OF sae cer soar ee ete Dayle Desjardins has worked for Terrace & District Credit Union for 15 years. Dayle can tailor your financial and investment needs to your lifestyle. Come in and meet Dayle, you will be glad that you did. 4650 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace © 635- 7282 — Quailit; ty Ser Se Senvice)) Terrace & District s Credit Union (Monday ‘to Friday 9AM - ‘Sunday LOAM — 6PM HealthwaTcH They say that when one door closes, another opens And that’s certainly true when it comes to your pharmacy needs. On July 1% we will be transferring your confidential prescription and personal health records from Our Skeena Mall location to our r Shoppers Drug Mart? location at: TERRACE SHOPPING CENTRE - _ 4635 Lakelse Avenue _ Tel: 250-635-7261 “OPM, Saturday 9AM — “PM, ek ee ne ee ee me | 7 When parties 8f 2 “ One- sway , airfare . , from’ for your:2 - Additional nights $138. 00 per room/night t Set a ot et To Book Call: 1:800-487-1216 CRBS ER TR a AARCSEER “www.hawkairca Contact Your Travel Agent or Book Online or more ¢ fly round trip. with PLUS FEES - AND TAXES : Stay at the CENTURY PLAZA HOTEL | free nights. : a be: don dow at cost’ ‘of: Comfortable Dash 8 service to Vancouver's South Terminal. Subject to availability, new bookings only, some restrictions apply. Not applicable to Special Fares. Book by June 30, 2005 for travel by August 15, 2005. Asa Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy customer you will continue ‘to enjoy the many benefits of our (HealthWATCH® Services, including: e HealthWATCH Pharmacist available. during all ‘Store hours » (Free iim-store blood pressure monitoring’ « Our new iHealth\WATCH “Let's talk””™ Program — — an on-going th health education program with new topics every itwo months: ‘One-on-one private counseling The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 22, 2005 = A7 Aa CDT ii arena att rg