NDP smell something fishy in delay of fish farm report

OTTAWA - Federal Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan said yesterday it would be irresponsible for him to accede to opposition demands that he release results of a fish-farm study before British Columbians vote in a provincial election today.

The report on sea lice infestations on wild stocks in the Broughton Archipelago, due to be made public in mid-April according to a March 22 federal news release, still isn't ready, he said.

"The sea lice study is being reviewed and finalized by our scientists. It would not be responsible to release the study before it is ready," Mr. Regan told the House of Commons. Vancouver Island New Democratic Party MP Jean Crowder said the report, which analyzes 2004 lice infestations on wild salmon in an area heavily populated by fish farms, will damage Premier Gordon Campbell's pro-aquaculture Liberal party.

"The report has been delayed by weeks. Could it be because of the election in B.C.?" Crowder asked said during Question Period. "Many marine scientists believe this report will show that open cage salmon farming is destroying wild salmon stocks."

Source: NationalPost