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Fish Farms and Wild Salmon

Gwaii Haanas Tour Operators Association members are concerned about the provincial Government's plan to locate finfish farms near the mouth of the Skeena River in northwest British Columbia. 

The Skeena River has the second most abundant salmon runs in Canada and is a world famous steelhead river.  So far, there have been no fish farms located in British Columbia?s northern waters.

Scientists have confirmed that sea lice thrive in and around fish farms and endanger young wild salmon. 
Using pesticides, fungicides, antibiotics and other chemicals to treat sea lice, diseases and other problems caused by fish farming, only compound the dangers facing young wild salmon.  Escaped farmed Atlantic salmon further threaten the biological integrity of wild salmon stocks.

GHTOA members cannot condone these risks to wild salmon and their habitats.  We are deeply concerned about pollution of our coastal waters and what the loss of this important natural resource would mean to the sustainability of our eco-tourism businesses and to future generations.

We support the efforts of Friends of Wild Salmon.

View video clips at: CallingFromTheCoast.com

Link to a paper outlining the transmission dynamics of parasitic sea lice from farm to wild salmon.

View our letter to the Premier of British Columbia.  (PDF format - 110 KB)

View the Government's reply.  (PDF format - 1097 KB)

View our letter to the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture.  (PDF format - 100 KB)

View the reply from the Clerk of Committees.  (PDF format - 206 KB)