BackwoodsBassr
Well-Known Member
This commission was formed in November of 2009 to investigate the large and steady decline in the natural Fraser river Sockeye runs. The results were released in the fall and several findings and recommendations were put forth.
There are many key players involved in this dispute, and there is much to be gained and lost on both sides.
Some depend on the natural salmon runs for sustenance, others depend on the yearly migrations for employment. Meanwhile, some industries use the Fraser river as a location for fish farms; and many other industries have a financial stake in their ability to develop the river and the surrounding area, and to release toxic matter that is a byproduct of their economic activities in to the air and water.
Moreover, I would suggest that every Canadian has a direct interest in how our ecosystems are managed, and the balance that is struck between preserving our natural resources and developing commercial industries.
I urge everyone interested to read on, and would love to see comments if you have any opinions or additional information you'd like to add. I am by no means an authority on the subject matter, just a concerned and interested citizen like yourselves.
I think this article does a good job of summing up the commission's findings:
http://outdoorcanada.ca/29668/fishing/article-fishing/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cohen-commission
Here is the link for the website for the commission, which allows access to the detailed reports:
http://www.cohencommission.ca/en/
Just in case you don't have the time to read it all here's a brief summary:
WHAT & WHY:
- The commission was formed to investigate the large and steady decline in the Sockeye runs in the Fraser river.
FINDINGS:
- Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and the spread of disease from fish farms (might want to watch the video Dozer posted about this) were all considered to be factors contributing to the decline.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- "Among the 75 recommendations to improve the sustainability of the Fraser’s sockeye fishery, the report called for a freeze on fish farms in the Discovery Islands—situated along the sockeye migration route—until September 2020. It also recommended there be no increases in production for existing farms in the region, and a maximum one-year term for licences. Moreover, the report stated that if existing farms are found to pose “more than a minimal risk of serious harm†to migrating Fraser sockeye, the minister of fisheries and oceans should close them down immediately. As for the DFO, the report said the federal agency should get out of the business of promoting salmon farms and stick to conserving and protecting wild stocks. “As long as DFO has a mandate to promote salmon farming, there is a risk that it will act in a manner that favours the interests of the salmon farming industry over the health of wild fish stocks,†Cohen said at the time of the report’s release."
There are many key players involved in this dispute, and there is much to be gained and lost on both sides.
Some depend on the natural salmon runs for sustenance, others depend on the yearly migrations for employment. Meanwhile, some industries use the Fraser river as a location for fish farms; and many other industries have a financial stake in their ability to develop the river and the surrounding area, and to release toxic matter that is a byproduct of their economic activities in to the air and water.
Moreover, I would suggest that every Canadian has a direct interest in how our ecosystems are managed, and the balance that is struck between preserving our natural resources and developing commercial industries.
I urge everyone interested to read on, and would love to see comments if you have any opinions or additional information you'd like to add. I am by no means an authority on the subject matter, just a concerned and interested citizen like yourselves.
I think this article does a good job of summing up the commission's findings:
http://outdoorcanada.ca/29668/fishing/article-fishing/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cohen-commission
Here is the link for the website for the commission, which allows access to the detailed reports:
http://www.cohencommission.ca/en/
Just in case you don't have the time to read it all here's a brief summary:
WHAT & WHY:
- The commission was formed to investigate the large and steady decline in the Sockeye runs in the Fraser river.
FINDINGS:
- Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and the spread of disease from fish farms (might want to watch the video Dozer posted about this) were all considered to be factors contributing to the decline.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- "Among the 75 recommendations to improve the sustainability of the Fraser’s sockeye fishery, the report called for a freeze on fish farms in the Discovery Islands—situated along the sockeye migration route—until September 2020. It also recommended there be no increases in production for existing farms in the region, and a maximum one-year term for licences. Moreover, the report stated that if existing farms are found to pose “more than a minimal risk of serious harm†to migrating Fraser sockeye, the minister of fisheries and oceans should close them down immediately. As for the DFO, the report said the federal agency should get out of the business of promoting salmon farms and stick to conserving and protecting wild stocks. “As long as DFO has a mandate to promote salmon farming, there is a risk that it will act in a manner that favours the interests of the salmon farming industry over the health of wild fish stocks,†Cohen said at the time of the report’s release."
