Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) unleashed a storm of protests, when they announced that salmon farms pose a minimal risk to migrating wild salmon. One of the most telling criticisms came through an interview that the Globe and Mail had with Kristi Miller-Saunders, head of the department’s molecular genetics laboratory at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. Dr. Miller-Saunders is troubled about the assessments and the fact department scientists are depend on funding from industry.
Continue reading Are DFO scientists too dependent on funding from industry?Tag Archives: Discovery Islands
Straitwatch: the Discovery Island’s ‘whale police’
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A putrid stink wafts across the water and engulfs the Straitwatch vessel floating off the southern end of Quadra Island.
The Zodiac’s operator, Alex Forman, wrinkles his nose at the odour that hangs in the air, strongly reminiscent of fermented garbage.
“Whale breath,” he explains. “Humpbacks don’t brush their teeth much.”
Continue reading Straitwatch: the Discovery Island’s ‘whale police’
Disputing DFO’s finding that Salmon farms pose little risk
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Opponents of open-net salmon farms are disputing this week’s finding by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) that farms in Discovery Island waters pose little risk to wild salmon.
Continue reading Disputing DFO’s finding that Salmon farms pose little risk
Get Fish Farms out of the Discovery Islands
Editors note: The following article contains a number of disturbing statements for which no supporting evidence, or links, have been provided, as well as some equally disturbing statements confirmed by a quick google search.
September 30, 2020 is the last day, in this round, to contact the Federal Government to act on their promise to Get Fish Farms out of the Discovery Islands waters. The 12 million dollar, year long Cohen Commission recommended their removal 8 years ago.
Continue reading Get Fish Farms out of the Discovery Islands
First Nations wary of DFO’s proposed consultation process
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Studies show that contentious fish farms in the Discovery Islands pose little risk to wild salmon, therefore they will not face immediate closure, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said Monday.
Nonetheless, a final decision on the fate of 18 open-net pen operations in the region will be delayed pending consultation with seven area First Nations about whether to renew the region’s fish farm licences, which are set to expire in December.
Talks will begin immediately with the Holmalco, Klahoose, K’omoks, Kwiakah, Tla’amin, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations, DFO said.
Though it’s unclear if all the region’s First Nations want the farms removed from their territorial waters, many don’t have confidence in DFO’s proposed consultation process, describing it as long overdue, inadequate, or both.
Continue reading First Nations wary of DFO’s proposed consultation process