Not only does the study fail to consider other naturally occurring factors such as increased abundance of pink salmon but it also appears to be based on old data. The validity of this data has been the subject of debate since it was first released over a year ago. The fact of the matter is pink salmon returns in the Broughton are at near historical averages, says David Rideout, Executive Director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance.
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance supports all research that contributes to a better understanding of sea lice issues. However, this study does not provide the scientific community, the industry or the
public with any new information.
Rideout recognizes the value of mathematical modeling but questions the results
of this study given the concerns that exist over the data used. It is a bit like
having a marvelous design for a new house but using old wood of questionable
quality to build it, says Rideout.
Sea lice occur naturally in the ocean and do not pose a human health risk. There
are several species of sea lice that are parasites to many species of wild fish.
Two species affect wild salmon as they migrate from the open ocean to rivers for
spawning. Salmon farms are also affected by this parasite. While all the
contributing factors have not been identified, nor their interrelationships, it is
known that water salinity, temperature and ocean currents impact the level of sea
lice present in the marine environment.
The Canadian salmon farming industry has state of the art food safety systems in
place on our farms and at the processing facilities. Food safety is not an issue
related to this study. Further, farmers make every effort to prevent sea lice from
affecting their fish. They use a range of sound management techniques to
minimize the presence of sea lice within stocks, such as fallowing and sea lice
monitoring, which are all recognized as effective tools by regulators and
veterinarians. When there is a sea lice outbreak, fish health veterinarians make
decisions about the best possible treatment options to quickly and effectively
control the outbreak.
Research by The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) into the issue of
sea lice interactions in the Broughton Archipelago of British Columbia, has shown
that the number of returning pinks was up in 2004-2005 and that sea lice levels
are not affecting pink and chum salmon stocks in the area.
Salmon, both wild and farmed, continues to be a safe and healthy food choice
for consumers, says Rideout. Our farmers take pride in the responsible manner
in which their animals are raised and the health benefits of this omega-3 rich
food, which have led Health Canada to recommend salmon as a good choice for
a familys healthy diet.
TheFishSite News Desk
Sea Lice Study Based On Old, Questionable Data
CANADA - The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance says the sea lice study released this week by Martin Krkosek has not been able to establish a cause-effect relationship between sea lice and salmon farms in the BroughtonArchipelago of British Columbia.
Sea Lice Study Based On Old, Questionable Data - CANADA - The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance says the sea lice study released this week by Martin Krkosek has not been able to establish a cause-effect relationship between sea lice and salmon farms in the Broughton
Archipelago of British Columbia.