People concerned about wild salmon should stop killing them
| Opinion There is no denying that much of the opposition to salmon farming around the world comes from individuals and organizations that are to some extent involved with “wild” salmon- who are often raising concerns that fish farming represents a threat to the free-swimming majestic salmon in the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean. And many of these people are actively pursuing the catching and killing of the very salmon that they raise concerns about. It may be the commercial salmon fisher in Alaska, who kills hundreds of millions of fish every year, or it may be the avid fly fisher in Scotland or Norway or the fellow fishing in the Tyee Pool at the mouth of the Campbell River on Vancouver Island that can’t wait to kill the biggest salmon possible just before it is about to lay the thousands of eggs that would secure the continuation of the species. Dave Conley, who has been around the salmon farming industry for a long time, recently spoke about this predicament with FISHNEWSEU.COM; He explained his rationale in an email to Fishnewseu.com following last week’s article on the launch of the www.standupforwildsalmon.org website by the UK Salmon and Trout Association. Conley highlighted a statement by Janina Gray, S&TA Head of Science and project leader of the new website that said: ‘The S&TA Aquaculture Campaign doesn’t aim to close down fish farming, but to move the salmon farming industry towards a more environmentally sustainable position, with particular emphasis on protecting wild salmon and sea trout from the impacts of poorly-operated and regulated fish farming.’ Conley explained: “I find this statement disingenuous given that the sole objective of the S&TA is ‘protecting wild salmon and sea trout’ only long enough so that anglers can catch and eat them. Rather than opposing salmon farming it would be more productive to adopt the practice that would truly show that they care about this renewable resource, which is to stop fishing them altogether. As we all know, fishing kills fish, it’s that simple. Stop fishing the salmon and trout and they may have a chance to recover. “It seems hypocritical that salmonid angling organisations spend their resources attacking salmon farming over perceived environmental impacts when history has shown repeatedly that the primary reason for the loss of many fisheries is the act of fishing itself and not knowing when to quit. “I gave up fishing wild salmon and trout many years ago when I realised that I was only contributing to the problem. Fortunately, there are many u-fish ponds around that are well-stocked with cultured fish and one can take as many as one wants or can afford without damaging the wild populations, if in fact that is really what one wants. However, I suspect that the S&TA has another agenda.” |
