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by Jennifer Dart
The Westerly News
May 30, 2007

If the BC salmon farming industry is forced to go to closed containment systems, production is likely to move closer to large markets and away from small coastal BC communities, said one local salmon farmer.

Spencer Evans of Creative Salmon Company made those comments in reference to the recent recommendations submitted by the legislative committee on sustainable aquaculture.

The committee, made up of four Liberal MLAs and six NDP MLAs, including Alberni-Qualicum representative Scott Fraser, visited Tofino June 6, 2006. In Tofino, as in the other areas, the committee heard about the importance of the industry in areas ravaged by the decline of commercial fisheries, and also about environmental concerns related to the practice of open net cage finfish farming.

Although their findings were not unanimous, one of the main recommendations that came out of the 18-month process was to transition the industry to ocean-based, closed containment units within five years.

Fraser points out that a recent public poll backs the committee's recommendation. The Strategic Communications Omnibus poll conducted March 15 - 27 of this year samples 606 British Columbians. Those polled supported government investment in closed containment technology by 80.7 percent (correct 19 times out of 20). The majority of those asked, 70.7 percent, were also in favour of a halt to further open net cage expansion until environmental concerns are addressed.

"You don't often get 80 percent in a poll," Fraser noted.

"What we heard and what we learned also reflects public expectation of government," he said. "The public has a role in this. The ocean is a public resource."

But Evans wondered what the real rationale was for suggesting the switch. Closed containment, he said, doesn't solve the "perceived issues" of waste and disease transfer because ocean water would continuously be pumped through the system.

He also aid the technology has been tested - the salmon farming industry rears smolts in closed tanks until they reach a certain size.

"We know very well what the costs and limitations [of closed containment] are," he said. "We can grow salmon up to a certain size, economically."

Beyond this initial stage (which differs by species), however, Evans said the practise is not "economically viable."

"To transition the industry to closed containment in five years is just ridiculous," he said. "It's foolhardy."

Another issue is the greenhouse gases that would be emitted from burning fossil fuels to keep water pumping through the closed tanks, he noted.

And even if the technology can be developed, the units wouldn't be placed in remote coastal areas, but rather closer to large power grids and shipping markets.

This 'bright light' for coastal communities, especially First Nations communities, would be extinguished by the move, he predicted.

"We heard a concern for jobs, which I have also," Fraser said. "We understand the challenges, we heard it loud and clear."

That's why part of the recommendations also included govenrnment funding to help get closed containment off the ground, he said. The committee's report puts the goal at three years to develop the technology and two years to implement it industry-wide.

Tests on a system being privately developed near Campbell River could start as soon as this fall.

"We're not leaving the industry out to hand," he said. "We think BC could become a leader in sustainable aquaculture."

Whether or not the Liberal government accepts any of the committee's more than 50 recommendations remains to be seen.

Evans is hopeful the report will lead to a thorough examination of closed containment technology, with involvement from the environmental sector. Only then, he said, will the issue be "put to bed."

Fraser also doesn't think the government will be able to easily dismiss the committee's findings.

"If the government is using a committee situation to pawn off a serious issue, I don't think the public will stand for it."

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