Today, Canadian officials announced the escape of 30,000 salmon from a fish farm in British Columbia. Large escapes like this one set off a wave of concern among fish farming opponants and wildlife biologists.
The sudden influx of non-native, Atlantic salmon can compete with the local salmon species for food. They can also prey on young salmon entering the ocean from Northwest rivers.
Fish Farm groups argue these escapes are rare and that farm operators have become valuable stewards of the Pacific who constantly monitor sea conditions and are first to spot dangerous algae blooms and other problems. They also say farmed salmon protect dwindling populations of Pacifc salmon by providing a tasty alternative. And they point out they have set up strike teams capable of rounding up the escapees after breakouts. Of the 300,000 that escaped in this latest case, fewer than 400 have been recaptured. Fish farm critics say there has to be a better way.

4 Comments

ledog3 said:

You can't fool mother nature...Actually you can. I'll put up with an accidental release of some non native fish into the local waters before I'll put up with that kind of "environmental damage" before I'll tolerate an oil spill from an Exxon ship.

July 7, 2008 7:56 AM

Rich said:

"fish farming opponants" Really? People actually waste their time to oppose fish farming? I guess its the people that dont fish and have no clue ablout the pressure that humans are putting on the world fish populations.

Its simple, If we dont resupply what we take, which is alot, then we wont have any. Humans out eat what mother nature can provide.

July 11, 2008 7:31 AM

Arbutus T. Swindel said:

TO the person that thinks fish farms are ok. EDUCATE YOURSELF! People like you are the reason why we are facing so many environmental disasters!

"How bad can it be?"
Ignorance is Bliss!

August 18, 2008 3:59 PM

BoGod said:

If you want to save the salmon, quit eating them. Simple

October 4, 2008 3:29 PM

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