Inside the Fish Farm Industry

[Editor's note: This is a summary of a podcast you can download or listen to from this page.]

In this episode, join host Jon Steinman on a tour of a salmon farm off the southeast coast of Vancouver Island. Jon toured the Marine Harvest facility in October, just days after biologist Alexendra Morton challenged the legal and constitutional authority of the province to regulate fish farms.

Morton is one of the most vocal critics of salmon farms, and her research provided the first clues that salmon farms were increasing the rate of sea lice infection in wild stocks. She has argued that the regulation of fish farms in B.C. waters constitutionally falls under the jurisdiction of the federal Fisheries and Oceans Department.

Hear a synopsis of case, which is currently before the B.C. Supreme Court, and hear Morton's reaction to what was said on the tour.

Guests/Voices

Alexandra Morton, scientist/researcher, Raincoast Research Society (Echo Bay, B.C.) -- While studying orca whales up in the 1990s, Alexandra watched as the salmon farming industry appeared in the Broughton Archipelago where she calls home. By partnering with international scientists and commercial fishermen, Alexandra has documented the loss of the whales, thousands of escaped farm salmon, lethal outbreaks of sea lice, and antibiotic resistance near salmon farms.

Paula Galloway, member and community relations, Britih Columbia Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) (Campbell River, B.C.) -- The B.C. Salmon Farmers Association was established in 1984. The Association is the voice of the province's salmon farming industry, a forum for communication, a vehicle for lobbying and a point of contact for stakeholders and the public. Prior to her role with the BCSFA, Paula worked with EWOS, an international feed company serving the aquaculture industry. EWOS is owned by Norway's Cermaq.

Bill Harrower, manager of regional operations for aquaculture development, Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (Courtenay, B.C.) -- Aquaculture is a significant contributor to the provincial economy, and most aquaculture jobs are located in coastal communities. Farmed salmon is B.C.'s largest agricultural export product. Bill Harrower has worked with the Department since the 1980s.

Barb Addison, manager, Big Tree Creek Hatchery, Marine Harvest Canada (Sayward, B.C.) -- Big Tree Creek is one of five hatcheries currently being managed by the company. It's in the process of a $3-million expansion.

Related Tyee stories:

• Salmon farming protest goes to the UN
• 'No' to Fish Farm: The Fallout
• Sea Lice Letter to Campbell, Harper Deserves Honest Answer