35 million exceptions...what the hell happened this year? As we speak there's dead, bright salmon with their eggs still intact floating down the Fraser River. Preliminary reports are that this may be happening because of a disease that is normally caried by Atlantic Salmon...weird eh?
Farming salmon is crucial for the Canadian economy. Farmed fish are not taken from the wild thus, the wild population remains intact and able to reproduce. However, fish feces, diseases, and parasites that thrive in the crowded nets spread to the wild salmon whom inhabit the area. The salmon population is not threatened yet by these parasites. But in time if nothing is done to make salmon farming safer a diseases or parasite could spread that could wipe out and put the salmon runs at risk.
just because the sockeye came back one year to the fraser river dosen't mean that the sea lice infestations around the fish pens isn't doing damage to wild stocks as they leave the rivers. the sockeye will have to come back in solid numbers every year before you can come to a conclusion that you can't share in the blame.
@sockeyesalmon2 Hi. Perhaps you'll want to read the study released today from UC Davis which concludes that sea lice from farmed salmon have no negative effect on salmon populations. So now we have millions of returning salmon and also a peer reviewed study (not the first mind you) that say the sea lice myth is busted.
@sockeyesalmon2 I would like to know where i can read the paper about the sea lice that you talked about also i would like to know where the funding came from for that study if you know thanks
@sockeyesalmon2 If you go to our website (follow our link) and have a look at the News posting on December 15th, it should provide you the links you need. Although, the study does say "none of the authors received compensation from any source for this analysis" and continues with a disclaimer about each authors experience/expertise.
Hi, I'd like to hear the industry's side to the story: What measures do you take to prevent escapes into the wild? When farmed salmon escape, they breed with wild salmon populations and create genetic pollution. When you farm millions of fish, even a 0.01 percent escape rate can be genetically disastrous.
@bryanlew88 Thanks for asking the question. Best thing we can do is keep our salmon in their pens. There's no arguing that. But there's a few facts you should know;
- in BC, we mainly raise Atlantic salmon which are a different genus than Pacific salmon, therefore they do not interbreed. No genetic pollution.
- Atlantic salmon were purposely introduced to BC by fishermen...they never populated rivers naturally
@bryanlew88 To continue. If one deems that a non-breeding, captive fish is a risk to the genetics of wild salmon, then how does that risk compare to literally billions of hatchery fish of the same genus and species that can and do interbreed with wild salmon. This context is important when discussing farm-raised salmon escapes.
@bryanlew88 Finally, salmon farms are regulated to prevent fish escape. Nets are checked monthly by divers, nets are break strength tested, fish are handled as little as possible (etc). Any escape is required to be reported and all this data is made public on the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands website.
@devnullsd Thanks for letting us set the record straight on fish in/fish out ratios. Salmon is much more efficient than other protein sources at converting feed to edible protein. Why? Because they are cold blooded and as a result, don't waste energy heating their bodies.
Current ratio is about 1.3-1.5 pounds of fish meal and oil (anchovies or process trimmings from wild fish) to make 1 lb of salmon. Our website has the mathematical calculation. Just google "salmon efficient use of protein"
What's the story with this ISA Virus?
Alaskrab 3 months ago
@Alaskrab Good question. Seems like there has not been a confirmation of the ISA virus. Testing of wild, farmed and hatchery fish will continue.
Does the USA test for ISA? How is that going - results?
AquacultureAwareness 2 months ago
From what I understand, a small portion of the wild fish and hatchery fish are tested for ISA. No Positive results that I've heard of...
Alaskrab 2 months ago
35 million exceptions...what the hell happened this year? As we speak there's dead, bright salmon with their eggs still intact floating down the Fraser River. Preliminary reports are that this may be happening because of a disease that is normally caried by Atlantic Salmon...weird eh?
Alaskrab 5 months ago
@Alaskrab Good returns this year too - higher than expected in fact. Pink and sockeye.
AquacultureAwareness 4 months ago
Farming salmon is crucial for the Canadian economy. Farmed fish are not taken from the wild thus, the wild population remains intact and able to reproduce. However, fish feces, diseases, and parasites that thrive in the crowded nets spread to the wild salmon whom inhabit the area. The salmon population is not threatened yet by these parasites. But in time if nothing is done to make salmon farming safer a diseases or parasite could spread that could wipe out and put the salmon runs at risk.
salmondiver101 5 months ago
just because the sockeye came back one year to the fraser river dosen't mean that the sea lice infestations around the fish pens isn't doing damage to wild stocks as they leave the rivers. the sockeye will have to come back in solid numbers every year before you can come to a conclusion that you can't share in the blame.
sockeyesalmon2 1 year ago
@sockeyesalmon2 Hi. Perhaps you'll want to read the study released today from UC Davis which concludes that sea lice from farmed salmon have no negative effect on salmon populations. So now we have millions of returning salmon and also a peer reviewed study (not the first mind you) that say the sea lice myth is busted.
Thanks for your interest!
AquacultureAwareness 1 year ago
@sockeyesalmon2 I would like to know where i can read the paper about the sea lice that you talked about also i would like to know where the funding came from for that study if you know thanks
sockeyesalmon2 1 year ago
@sockeyesalmon2 If you go to our website (follow our link) and have a look at the News posting on December 15th, it should provide you the links you need. Although, the study does say "none of the authors received compensation from any source for this analysis" and continues with a disclaimer about each authors experience/expertise.
AquacultureAwareness 1 year ago
Hi, I'd like to hear the industry's side to the story: What measures do you take to prevent escapes into the wild? When farmed salmon escape, they breed with wild salmon populations and create genetic pollution. When you farm millions of fish, even a 0.01 percent escape rate can be genetically disastrous.
bryanlew88 1 year ago
@bryanlew88 Thanks for asking the question. Best thing we can do is keep our salmon in their pens. There's no arguing that. But there's a few facts you should know;
- in BC, we mainly raise Atlantic salmon which are a different genus than Pacific salmon, therefore they do not interbreed. No genetic pollution.
- Atlantic salmon were purposely introduced to BC by fishermen...they never populated rivers naturally
AquacultureAwareness 1 year ago
@bryanlew88 To continue. If one deems that a non-breeding, captive fish is a risk to the genetics of wild salmon, then how does that risk compare to literally billions of hatchery fish of the same genus and species that can and do interbreed with wild salmon. This context is important when discussing farm-raised salmon escapes.
What do you think?
AquacultureAwareness 1 year ago
@bryanlew88 Finally, salmon farms are regulated to prevent fish escape. Nets are checked monthly by divers, nets are break strength tested, fish are handled as little as possible (etc). Any escape is required to be reported and all this data is made public on the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands website.
AquacultureAwareness 1 year ago
aquaculture is a waste of fish. It takes 6lbs of anchovy to "grow" 1lb of salmon.
devnullsd 1 year ago 3
@devnullsd Thanks for letting us set the record straight on fish in/fish out ratios. Salmon is much more efficient than other protein sources at converting feed to edible protein. Why? Because they are cold blooded and as a result, don't waste energy heating their bodies.
Current ratio is about 1.3-1.5 pounds of fish meal and oil (anchovies or process trimmings from wild fish) to make 1 lb of salmon. Our website has the mathematical calculation. Just google "salmon efficient use of protein"
AquacultureAwareness 1 year ago