BLOGGED:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Nova Scotia's Lobster baby.... China's favourite....some old style music, songs, news and folklore.... come visit... GETCHA NOVA SCOTIA ON... GETCHA CANADA ON...them fishing grounds of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada- wanna go fishing? come on down
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BLOG:
Canada Military News: F**KING FISH FARMING KILLING our fish, water, soil- and cost NDP Nova Scotia an election
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imho -POPE FRANCIS... OUR ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANITY MATTERS OVER ARROGANT POLITICIANS AND THEIR WAR... love u Pope Francis..... how come 3.4 Billion Christians can band together their Christianity for peace and love..... yet United Nations still won`t (and USA) will not make law that `women equal men`..... which would end all wars. And the fact that Christians globally are NOT continuously blowing innocents up and creating more hate and destroying our own brothers and sisters with such glee
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imho -POPE FRANCIS... OUR ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANITY MATTERS OVER ARROGANT POLITICIANS AND THEIR WAR... love u Pope Francis..... how come 3.4 Billion Christians can band together their Christianity for peace and love..... yet United Nations still won`t (and USA) will not make law that `women equal men`..... which would end all wars. And the fact that Christians globally are NOT continuously blowing innocents up and creating more hate and destroying our own brothers and sisters with such glee
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BLOGGED:
F**KING FISH FARMS NOVA SCOTIA-
CHECK GLOBAL- LAND FISH FARMS VS ENVIRONMENT COASTAL RUINATION FISH FARMS-
CHECK IT OUT.... and the public buys and eats this??? Telling Liberals in
power- No F**KING FRACKING -AND DIRTY COASTAL FISH FARMS- or u won't make it
past 4 years- that's a promise/FRACKING -UPDATES AUG 3 -our Canada / -jAN 9TH-
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AND
BIG REASON WHY - NDP LOST ELECTION- IN NOVA SCOTIA- SALMON FISH FARMS- MINK FARMS....
SURRETTE:
Rough seas for NDP idealism at salmon farms
July
7, 2012 - 3:15am By RALPH SURETTE
By
not only endorsing but also financing the problematic open-net concept of
salmon farming, and refusing to consider any logic but fast jobs no matter what
the consequences, the Dexter government has set itself up for trouble, ignored
the real opportunities at hand, and unleashed some serious tension within the NDP.
The
latest group to be alarmed is none other than the lobster industry, which has
been trying to open up markets in Asia based on the image of clean Nova Scotian
water.
One
exporter explained to me that the high-end Asian, particularly Chinese, consumers
they’re courting “don’t eat their own seafood” precisely because their waters
are so polluted by fish farming.
The
Internet-borne word — based on either perception or reality — that the same
thing is happening here could seriously damage those efforts. He said they’re
trying to get through the strangely deaf ear of the Dexter government, but
don’t want to make a public fuss, because a fuss just spreads the word. It’s
that delicate.
As
for the big missed opportunity, it goes like this. Salmon farming is a problem
worldwide, as pollution and disease spread with the chemical-laden industry’s
reckless expansion.
It’s
potentially more serious here than in places like Chile or Scotland because we
have an inshore fishery flush up against the cages. But we also have
world-class oceans and fisheries expertise at Dalhousie University and the
Bedford Institute. The proper approach, as one one insider puts it, would have
been to use that expertise to pursue “a world- scale solution to a world-scale
problem” right here, and export it.
To
do that would have required a temporary moratorium on more open nets.
The
party establishment, however, has its heels dug in. At the party convention a
few weeks ago, the pro-moratorium forces were prepared to vote a resolution to
that effect when the room filled up with MLAs and party staff to vote it down.
That “drove a wedge deep, deep, deep into the party,” says one angry insider.
There’s
background to this. Long-time party loyalists — notably environmentalists,
community activists and so forth, plus some people I’m hearing from who have
held posts in the party — expected to be heard but are shut out, and notably on
the issue of economic development.
As
the government ladles out big money to things like pulp mills and biomass,
they’re asking what’s different in that from what we’ve been doing for 50 years
in Nova Scotia?
One
accuses the premier of being “Harper-like” in his refusal to take counsel. One
thing that rankles is that Voluntary Economic Planning, the Stanfield-era board
that interfaced between the public and government and had gained a positive
reputation beyond these borders, was killed in favour of an online consultation
system that these critics say has not been used.
Deputy
Premier Frank Corbett was quoted at the time as saying, “If it’s not in line
with government thinking, why have it?” That is, indeed, Harper-like.
The
government is blasé about all this, saying that social democratic governments
always spawn disgruntled left wings. A spokesman for the premier points out
that even Tommy Douglas was considered a sellout in his day and says the
cabinet is pretty well studied up on all that.
But
another voice from within says that even if that’s a fact of life, the
salmon-farm caper is still way over the top. It’s not just the hundred or more
groups and businesses from tourism, commercial fisheries, environmental,
community and other sectors who are protesting the takeover of the coast by
open-pen operations.
Significantly,
the federal NDP, which wants communities to have a say as to whether they want
salmon farms or not, and wants closed-pen systems developed, is unhappy that
the province isn’t listening.
For
his pains, MP Peter Stoffer got the brush-off from Fisheries Minister Sterling
Belliveau with the usual form letter about regulations being in place.
Meanwhile,
the sub-headline on the front of Thursday’s paper about new salmon sites in
Shelburne County read “Environmental risk unlikely, Ottawa says.”
Since
“Ottawa” is busy destroying environmental regulations, its assurances should
merely alarm us even more. By using “regulations” as cover for these
operations, the Dexter government risks being linked to Harperism in more ways
than one.
In
political terms, the government is implying that its dissidents will stay in
check because they’d have no one else to vote for anyway, which is likely true.
Neither
the Liberals nor the Tories have any credibility on the issue of industrial
giveaways in the pursuit of quick jobs, nor on the issue of salmon farms where
they too support the floating pig farm concept. The irony here is that the NDP
is not only the government but, on these issues, the opposition as well.
Ralph
Surette is a veteran journalist based in Yarmouth County.
(rsurette@herald.ca)
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GLOBAL- Scientific Evidence of Sea Lice from Fishfarms Seriously Harming Wild Stocks
Ireland
“THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SALMON FARMS PRODUCING
SEA-LICE ARE THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE SEA-TROUT COLLAPSE.” Dr.
Paddy Gargan, Senior Research Officer for Ireland’s Central Fisheries Board
2003. see study which supported this conclusion (2002)
“Despite the initiatives undertaken both in the
freshwater and marine environment since 1990, there has not been a recovery of
sea trout stocks along the western [Irish] seaboard. . . . Sea trout continue
to be recorded annually with heavy sea lice infestations ONLY in rivers
entering bays with salmon aquaculture.” Central and Regional Fisheries Boards
(Ireland) – ‘Action Plan for Sustainable Management and Development of Salmon
Aquaculture and Sea Trout Fisheries’, p. 6, February 2001.
“The board has considered everything in its efforts
to establish a cause for the decline in wild-fish stocks; forestry,
over-grazing, angling, but it all came down to one thing – sea-lice emanating
from salmon farms.” Mr Michael Kennedy, of the Irish Western Regional Fisheries
Board, 2003.
“Sea-trout fishing was sustainable and eco-friendly,
but the salmon farms killed it off within a decade.” Peter Mantle, who owned a
wild salmon and sea-trout sport fishery in Delphi on the west coast of Ireland,
2002. (this last example is not scientific but one of many anecdotal
experiences)
Scotland
In 1999 Professor David McKay, a regional director of
the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, told a Norwegian conference it
should be accepted “beyond reasonable doubt” that sea lice from salmon farms
were killing sea trout returning to Scotland.
Two Scottish studies use the fact that in Scotland
all the fishfarms in some areas start their two year production cycle at the
same time. The number of sea lice in the fishfarm pens is low in the first year
and greatest in the second year when the farmed fish are larger.
James R. A. Butler et al. (2001) analyzed three years
of data from five rivers and found that wild fish sea lice infestations were
related to salmon farm production cycles.
§ Scotland’s Fisheries Research Services further
analyzed this relationship and found the amount of wild sea trout infested with
immature lice rose from zero to 75 percent during the second year of the
production cycle at local salmon farms.2002
Norway
P.A., Bjørn, B. Finstad and R. Kristoffersen did a
study (2001) in Norway and found that: “…salmon lice infection on wild sea
trout and Arctic char differed significantly between the area close to and the
area distant from salmon farming activity. Furthermore, the results from the
exposed locality show that high lice infections may have profound negative
effects upon [wild] populations of sea trout. In the area without salmon farms,
no heavy salmon lice infections were recorded”. A further study published by
Bjørn and Finstad in 2002 concluded that fish farming contributes to an
elevated lice level in wild fish.
The results from a co-operative research project
between the Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway and the University of
Bergen indicate that more than 86% of the wild postsmolts of Atlantic salmon
migrating out of the Sognefjord, and between 48.5% and 81.5% of the postsmolts
from the Nordfjord were killed as a direct consequence of sea lice infections.
(ongoing research of fjords with fishfarms).
Canada
“This report looks at lice infestations on wild juvenile
pink and chum salmon as they migrated past an isolated salmon farm down a long
and narrow migration corridor in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia,
Canada… The calculations suggest the infection pressure near the farm was
approximately 70 times greater than natural ambient levels and exceeded ambient
levels for 30 km of migration route. This amounts to a total direct
contribution of sea lice from the farm that was approximately 30,000 times
greater than the natural production of sea lice in the length of habitat
occupied by the salmon farm. M. Krkosek, M.A.Lewis and J.P. Volpe-see study published by the
Proceedings of the Royal Society B, March 30, 2005
“”We found 3 cases of sea lice in a sample of 1,018
juvenile salmon outside of the Broughton Archipelago. Within the Broughton
Archipelago,” where there are 28 Atlantic salmon farms, “we found 4,338 of this
species of sea louse on 1,138 salmon,” – a 1,000-fold difference, said Morton.
Her study showed potentially lethal levels of infection in 90 percent of wild
juvenile salmon.” National Research council Canada site re Alexandra Morton’s
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences paper http://cisti-icist.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/media/press/sea_lice_e.html
“1) Salmon farms contribute sea lice to wild fish.”
“3) Sea lice can kill juvenile fish…”
“5) There is suggestive evidence of population
impacts (on wild salmon in BC)”
These are exerpts from the “Statement of
Agreement” from the roundtable meeting of twenty-five Scientists
from around the world November 2004-held at Simon Fraser University in
Vancouver
There have been many false and misleading reports
concerning a 2003 DFO sea lice study in the Broughton. A Positive Aquaculture
Awarenesss news release (dated May 10th, 2004 widely reported and continued to
be referred to) stated: “Latest DFO study finds no link between salmon farms
and sea lice on wild salmon” “This … proves Ms Morton wrong”. The DFO study
referred to did not even look for a relationship between sea lice infestation
and fishfarms so no wonder it did not find any. The following is a quote from
the Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC) 2004 meeting which
reviewed the DFO study in question. “Although some reviewers commented on the
lack of a specific study design for hypothesis testing that linked captive fish
in farms, wild fish and sea lice, the authors (of the DFO study) noted that the
study objectives were not designed to examine cause and effect relationships
among sea lice infection rates and fish farm site location.”
-------------------
Sea Lice- FishyLeaks
Scottish Salmon Infested With
Parasites
- Sea Lice Data Reveals 1001 Reasons to Boycott
Farmed Salmon
Read press release and media backgrounder in full online here
Wester Ross, Scotland – Scottish salmon and sea trout are infested with sea lice parasites according to new data released by Marine Scotland via Freedom of Information and published online via FishyLeaks. Infestation levels of up to 145 sea lice per fish were recorded in Shieldaig in Wester Ross in 2012; up to 196 in Laxford in West Sutherland in 2008; 117 in Tarbert in Argyll in 2008; 113 in Sunart in Lochaber in 2008; and a staggering 1001 sea lice on a salmon sampled in Kanaird in Wester Ross in 2008.
Out of over 11,000 wild salmon and sea trout sampled since 1997 there were 2,750 fish with 10 or more sea lice; 913 fish with 50 or more sea lice and 367 fish with 100 or more sea lice. By far the worst area was Dundonnell in Wester Ross which reported 40 out of the top 50 infestation rates.
Download sea lice data made available via FOI (February 2013):
- Kishorn (2010-2012): online here
- Shieldaig (2008-2012): online here
- Gairloch (2011): online here
- West Sutherland (2008-2009): online here
- Wester Ross (2008-2009): online here
- Argyll (2008-2009): online here
- Lochaber (2008-2009): online here
- Outer Hebrides (2008-2009): online here
- Torridon (2008-2009): online here
- All Regions (1997-2009): online here
Read the FOI letter from Marine Scotland on sea lice (1 February 2013) - online here
The latest information published by the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) also reveals alarming sea lice infestation levels across Scotland – with salmon farms in North Mainland 263% above the suggested lice treatment threshold of 1.0 adult female lice per fish; East Shetland 135% above the threshold; and West Shetland 123% above the threshold for the period September to December 2012.
Salmon farming companies operating in Scotland all report growing parasite
problems. “Grieg Seafood Hjaltland has suffered from sea lice challenges in
2012,” stated Grieg Seafood in their Q3 2012 report published
last month. “All regions reported higher sea lice levels at the end of the
second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011,” stated Marine
Harvest’s Q2 2012
report. Marine Harvest publishes
their Q4 2012 report on Wednesday (6 February).
“Scottish salmon is farmed and dangerous,” said Don Staniford of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture. “Sea lice from salmon farms are killing wild salmon and sea trout across Scotland. Scottish farmed salmon should be avoided like the plague.”
The revelations comes in the wake of a scientific paper published in November 2012 by the Royal Society which detailed the lethal impact of sea lice from salmon farms on wild salmon. Scottish Government research published in February 2013 also revealed that sea lice from salmon farms impact wild sea trout up to 32km away. Another report published in January 2013 by the Rivers & Fisheries Trusts of Scotland detailed increased sea lice infestation levels on wild sea trout during 2012 compared to 2011 with an “increasing infestation pattern” and “detrimental lice loads above critical thresholds”.
The Scottish Government is protecting the salmon farming from public scrutiny. Last month, Marine Scotland refused a FOI request on sea lice as “manifestly unreasonable”. In a debate in the Scottish Parliament (9 January), the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, also refused to publish sea lice data. “It is not that farm-by-farm data on sea lice are not being collected; the issue is more to do with publication,” testified the Minister. “Why does the Scottish Government seem so reluctant to go down the route of farm-by-farm data collection on sea lice?” asked Alex Fergusson MSP.
The issue of sea lice was also debated in December 2012 by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee. “Publication of aggregated figures, controlled by the SSPO, on a delayed basis, is unacceptable in the 21st century for an industry which claims to ‘have nothing to hide’,” stated one submission. “We need data on a ‘real time’ basis to allow mitigation measures to be put in place at the time of crisis, rather than reflecting on a disaster after it has occurred. Why can Scotland not have a similar level of transparency from the largely Norwegian-owned operators to that which they are obliged to comply with in their home country?”
“The Scottish Government’s refusal to publish sea lice data for Scotland’s salmon farms is manifestly unreasonable,” continued Staniford. “It is shameful that the Scottish Government is allowing the salmon farming industry to hide behind a veil of secrecy on sea lice. A public register detailing infestation rates on farmed salmon as well as wild salmon and sea trout must be published as a matter of urgency.”
In September 2012, FishyLeaks published damning figures revealing a 12-fold increase in the use of toxic chemicals on Scottish salmon farms (due to chemical resistance and the development of so-called ‘super-lice’). In December 2012, FishyLeaks published data from Ireland showing how Marine Harvest was breaching sea lice thresholds with 44 sea lice per farmed salmon. Last month, FishyLeaks published details of how parasite infestation associated with Amoebic Gill Disease has affected at least 44 salmon farms in Scotland since October 2011.
Contact:
Don Staniford (Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture): 07771 541826
Notes to Editors:
For recent news on sea lice infestation on salmon farms please read:
“44 sea lice per salmon at Marine Harvest Ireland farm” (Undercurrent News, 18 December 2012)
“FishyLeaks: Lice-Infested Irish Salmon (Continued)!” (FishyLeaks, 18 December)
“Sea lice levels in local fish farms: reports show breaches of sea lice levels in Donegal” (Donegal Democrat, 17 December 2012)
“Sea lice hitting Donegal farms hardest – problems in Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay” (Donegal news, 30 November 2012)
“Wild salmon stocks ‘wiped out’ by sea lice” (Irish Independent, 16 November 2012)
“Devastating impact on Wild Salmon populations from Sea Lice” (Inland Fisheries Ireland, 15 November 2012)
“Parasites have big impact on salmon” (Royal Society, 7 November 2012)
“Sea lice killing large numbers of salmon” (BBC News, 7 November 2012)
“Farmed fish lice link to wild salmon deaths” (The Herald, 7 November 2012)
“Chemicals to control salmon parasites” (The Guardian, 10 September)
“Keeping Salmon Farming Problems Secret” (Sunday Herald, 1 July 2012)
“Sea lice infestations on farmed Atlantic salmon in Scotland and the use of ectoparasitic treatments” (Veterinary Record, 2012)
“Inspections reveal 'sea lice breaches' in salmon farms” (BBC News, 7 April 2011)
“Government 'gagged' by salmon farming industry” (Sunday Herald, 26 December 2010)
“Plague of 'super-lice' threatens wild salmon” (Caledonian Mercury, 16 February 2010)
==========================================================================================
FishyLeaks, 18 December 2012
Lice-Infested Irish Salmon Continued
- Ireland’s Parasite Problems Exposed by ‘FishyLeaks’
Another leaked Government report reveals that Irish farmed salmon - including so-called 'organic' salmon farms - are breaching sea lice levels by over three times. Marine Harvest's salmon farm in Lough Swilly is so infested with parasitic sea lice that there are over 44 sea lice per farmed salmon whilst Mannin Bay's 'organic' salmon are infested with over 15 sea lice per farmed salmon!
The latest data (November 2012) compiled by the Marine Institute reveals that Marine Harvest is breaching the sea lice protocol level (set at 2 ovigerous - pregnant female - lice per farmed salmon) for the FIFTH month running.
Read November 2012 sea lice data in full online here
In October 2012 Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Lough Swilly was infested with 54 sea lice per fish – breaching the Irish Government’s protocol levels by almost five times along with Mannin Bay’s ‘organic’ salmon feedlot at Corhounagh. In September 2012, Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Mulroy Bay was infested with 58 sea lice per farmed salmon with Lough Swilly infested with a staggering 71 sea lice per farmed salmon (both over five times the Government’s sea lice protocol level)!
"Lice-infested Irish farmed salmon - including 'organic' salmon - should be avoided like the plague," said Don Staniford of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA) in a press release (18 December). "The Irish Government should be controlling sea lice infestation on salmon farms not promoting even bigger feedlots such as the proposed 15,000 tonne farm in Galway Bay. Join the boycott of farmed salmon and send a festive message to Marine Harvest that disease-ridden salmon does not belong on the Christmas menu."
GAAIA is now writing to the Irish Government, Marine Harvest and Mannin Bay Salmon asking why sea lice protocol levels are being flagrantly breached month after month - read GAAIA's letter (18 December) addressed to the Ireland's Fisheries Minister Simon Coveney online here
The Sunday Times Ireland reported (16 December):
"Gerry O’Donohue, of Mannin Bay Salmon, said sea lice were a problem for all fish farms. “We are very careful to ensure that we do everything possible to reduce the prevalence of sea lice in our salmon stocks. “We have learnt how to deal with sea lice. When high levels of sea lice are detected, we harvest the fish, as we are an organic farm and do not use chemicals,” he said.
Marine Harvest Ireland said its Irish operations were audited 14 times a year by officials from the Marine Institute. “We note that the control protocols in respect of sea lice operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the state are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions, as the inspection regime is independent of the industry,” the company said.
“Data obtained as a result of inspections is published and treatment trigger levels are set at a low level. These controls are widely accepted as representing best practice internationally. Marine Harvest Ireland conforms fully with this leading pest control strategy. “We implement tried-and- tested operational procedures to control sea lice. On occasion, given certain climatic conditions, lice can be more prevalent and this has occurred this year as the reports clearly illustrate.”
The Marine Institute declined to comment."
The Irish Examiner reported (15 December):
"Marine Harvest last night defended the figures, saying sea lice control protocols in Ireland are “more advanced that those operated in other jurisdictions as the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry”. “These controls are widely accepted as representing best practice internationally. Marine Harvest Ireland conforms fully with this leading pest-control strategy. Given certain climatic conditions, lice can be more prevalent and this has occurred this year”.
“Best practice in fish farming is to optimise stock rotation and separation by having a greater number of sites. This is why we have applied for a licence application for Shot Head, to complement our existing facilities by enabling improved rotation of our fish stocks therefore implementing best practice with regard to lice control.”
Read a year’s data on sea lice infestation on Irish salmon farms via:
- November 2012: online here
- October 2012: online here
- September 2012: online here
- August 2012: online here
- July 2012: online here
- June 2012: online here
- May 2012: online here
- April 2012: online here
- March 2012: online here
- February 2012: online here
- December 2011 to January 2012: online here
For more details see below
==========================================================================================
Lice-Infested Irish Salmon Continued
FishyLeaks today (11 December 2012) published leaked Government reports cataloguing sea lice infestation on Irish salmon farms. The damming data reveals that Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Lough Swilly was infested with 54 sea lice per fish in October 2012 – breaching the Irish Government’s protocol levels by almost five times along with Mannin Bay’s ‘organic’ salmon feedlot at Corhounagh. In September 2012, Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Mulroy Bay was infested with 58 sea lice per farmed salmon with Lough Swilly infested with a staggering 71 sea lice per farmed salmon (both over five times the Government’s sea lice protocol level)!
Read the leaked sea lice data online via FishyLeaks - including for October 2012:
And for September 2012:
Read a year’s sea lice data in full online via FishyLeaks
“The public has a right to know that the Irish salmon farming industry is already being plagued by severe sea lice infestation,” said Don Staniford of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA). “It is a policy of reckless abandon for the Irish Government to be sponsoring a new 15,000 tonne feedlot in Galway Bay – the world’s largest salmon farm which would double salmon farming production in Ireland. Sea lice infested Irish farmed salmon – including so-called ‘organic’ salmon - should be avoided like the plague.”
“The sea lice crisis is spiralling out of control,” continued Staniford. “No wonder the Marine Institute is desperately trying to keep a lid on the can of worms that is Irish salmon farming. Ireland is a law unto itself and is consistently flouting sea lice protocol levels despite a 2009 complaint to the European Commission by Salmon Watch Ireland. Shame on Ireland and shame on Norway which now controls over 60% of Irish salmon farming production via the Norwegian-owned multinational Marine Harvest.”
The leaked monthly sea lice reports include the following statement: “This data is supplied for the information of the recipient only and is not to be used, cited, or conveyed to third parties without the prior permission of the Marine Institute”. However last month, the Donegal News (30 November) reported on sea lice problems in Mulroy Bay and Lough Swilly. “They are intended for information only,” said a spokesperson for the Irish Government. “The full set of inspection results together with a detailed commentary is published annually and posted on the Marine Institute web-site.”
Marine Harvest’s latest financial reports refer to disease problems including sea lice infestation and Amoebic Gill Disease. Marine Harvest’s Q3 2012 report includes:
“As indicated in previous reports, the Irish operation has struggled with amoebic gill disease (AGD) for several months. Due to favourable conditions for the amoeba in the quarter, mortality losses and treatment costs were substantial in the period. Exceptional mortality in the amount of NOK 14 million was recognised in the quarter.”
Marine Harvest’s Q2 2012 report includes:
“Cost wise, feed and sea lice mitigation costs have increased compared to 2011. High mortality in the 2012 harvest generation influenced the cost level in the period and will increasingly do so going forward.”
Watch a video report from Marine Harvest’s operations in Mulroy Bay – online via “"Nature has struck back and said "No More!" - Noel Carr on Salmon Farms”
Read a year’s sea lice data in full online via FishyLeaks
- October 2012: online here
- September 2012: online here
- August 2012: online here
- July 2012: online here
- June 2012: online here
- May 2012: online here
- April 2012: online here
- March 2012: online here
- February 2012: online here
- December 2011 to January 2012: online here
Read the press release - "Lice-Infested Irish Salmon: Ireland’s Parasite Problems Exposed by ‘FishyLeaks’" - in full online here
Wester Ross, Scotland – Scottish salmon and sea trout are infested with sea lice parasites according to new data released by Marine Scotland via Freedom of Information and published online via FishyLeaks. Infestation levels of up to 145 sea lice per fish were recorded in Shieldaig in Wester Ross in 2012; up to 196 in Laxford in West Sutherland in 2008; 117 in Tarbert in Argyll in 2008; 113 in Sunart in Lochaber in 2008; and a staggering 1001 sea lice on a salmon sampled in Kanaird in Wester Ross in 2008.
Out of over 11,000 wild salmon and sea trout sampled since 1997 there were 2,750 fish with 10 or more sea lice; 913 fish with 50 or more sea lice and 367 fish with 100 or more sea lice. By far the worst area was Dundonnell in Wester Ross which reported 40 out of the top 50 infestation rates.
Download sea lice data made available via FOI (February 2013):
- Kishorn (2010-2012): online here
- Shieldaig (2008-2012): online here
- Gairloch (2011): online here
- West Sutherland (2008-2009): online here
- Wester Ross (2008-2009): online here
- Argyll (2008-2009): online here
- Lochaber (2008-2009): online here
- Outer Hebrides (2008-2009): online here
- Torridon (2008-2009): online here
- All Regions (1997-2009): online here
Read the FOI letter from Marine Scotland on sea lice (1 February 2013) - online here
The latest information published by the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) also reveals alarming sea lice infestation levels across Scotland – with salmon farms in North Mainland 263% above the suggested lice treatment threshold of 1.0 adult female lice per fish; East Shetland 135% above the threshold; and West Shetland 123% above the threshold for the period September to December 2012.
“Scottish salmon is farmed and dangerous,” said Don Staniford of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture. “Sea lice from salmon farms are killing wild salmon and sea trout across Scotland. Scottish farmed salmon should be avoided like the plague.”
The revelations comes in the wake of a scientific paper published in November 2012 by the Royal Society which detailed the lethal impact of sea lice from salmon farms on wild salmon. Scottish Government research published in February 2013 also revealed that sea lice from salmon farms impact wild sea trout up to 32km away. Another report published in January 2013 by the Rivers & Fisheries Trusts of Scotland detailed increased sea lice infestation levels on wild sea trout during 2012 compared to 2011 with an “increasing infestation pattern” and “detrimental lice loads above critical thresholds”.
The Scottish Government is protecting the salmon farming from public scrutiny. Last month, Marine Scotland refused a FOI request on sea lice as “manifestly unreasonable”. In a debate in the Scottish Parliament (9 January), the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, also refused to publish sea lice data. “It is not that farm-by-farm data on sea lice are not being collected; the issue is more to do with publication,” testified the Minister. “Why does the Scottish Government seem so reluctant to go down the route of farm-by-farm data collection on sea lice?” asked Alex Fergusson MSP.
The issue of sea lice was also debated in December 2012 by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee. “Publication of aggregated figures, controlled by the SSPO, on a delayed basis, is unacceptable in the 21st century for an industry which claims to ‘have nothing to hide’,” stated one submission. “We need data on a ‘real time’ basis to allow mitigation measures to be put in place at the time of crisis, rather than reflecting on a disaster after it has occurred. Why can Scotland not have a similar level of transparency from the largely Norwegian-owned operators to that which they are obliged to comply with in their home country?”
“The Scottish Government’s refusal to publish sea lice data for Scotland’s salmon farms is manifestly unreasonable,” continued Staniford. “It is shameful that the Scottish Government is allowing the salmon farming industry to hide behind a veil of secrecy on sea lice. A public register detailing infestation rates on farmed salmon as well as wild salmon and sea trout must be published as a matter of urgency.”
In September 2012, FishyLeaks published damning figures revealing a 12-fold increase in the use of toxic chemicals on Scottish salmon farms (due to chemical resistance and the development of so-called ‘super-lice’). In December 2012, FishyLeaks published data from Ireland showing how Marine Harvest was breaching sea lice thresholds with 44 sea lice per farmed salmon. Last month, FishyLeaks published details of how parasite infestation associated with Amoebic Gill Disease has affected at least 44 salmon farms in Scotland since October 2011.
Contact:
Don Staniford (Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture): 07771 541826
Notes to Editors:
For recent news on sea lice infestation on salmon farms please read:
“44 sea lice per salmon at Marine Harvest Ireland farm” (Undercurrent News, 18 December 2012)
“FishyLeaks: Lice-Infested Irish Salmon (Continued)!” (FishyLeaks, 18 December)
“Sea lice levels in local fish farms: reports show breaches of sea lice levels in Donegal” (Donegal Democrat, 17 December 2012)
“Sea lice hitting Donegal farms hardest – problems in Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay” (Donegal news, 30 November 2012)
“Wild salmon stocks ‘wiped out’ by sea lice” (Irish Independent, 16 November 2012)
“Devastating impact on Wild Salmon populations from Sea Lice” (Inland Fisheries Ireland, 15 November 2012)
“Parasites have big impact on salmon” (Royal Society, 7 November 2012)
“Sea lice killing large numbers of salmon” (BBC News, 7 November 2012)
“Farmed fish lice link to wild salmon deaths” (The Herald, 7 November 2012)
“Chemicals to control salmon parasites” (The Guardian, 10 September)
“Keeping Salmon Farming Problems Secret” (Sunday Herald, 1 July 2012)
“Sea lice infestations on farmed Atlantic salmon in Scotland and the use of ectoparasitic treatments” (Veterinary Record, 2012)
“Inspections reveal 'sea lice breaches' in salmon farms” (BBC News, 7 April 2011)
“Government 'gagged' by salmon farming industry” (Sunday Herald, 26 December 2010)
“Plague of 'super-lice' threatens wild salmon” (Caledonian Mercury, 16 February 2010)
==========================================================================================
FishyLeaks, 18 December 2012
Lice-Infested Irish Salmon Continued
- Ireland’s Parasite Problems Exposed by ‘FishyLeaks’
Another leaked Government report reveals that Irish farmed salmon - including so-called 'organic' salmon farms - are breaching sea lice levels by over three times. Marine Harvest's salmon farm in Lough Swilly is so infested with parasitic sea lice that there are over 44 sea lice per farmed salmon whilst Mannin Bay's 'organic' salmon are infested with over 15 sea lice per farmed salmon!
The latest data (November 2012) compiled by the Marine Institute reveals that Marine Harvest is breaching the sea lice protocol level (set at 2 ovigerous - pregnant female - lice per farmed salmon) for the FIFTH month running.
Read November 2012 sea lice data in full online here
In October 2012 Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Lough Swilly was infested with 54 sea lice per fish – breaching the Irish Government’s protocol levels by almost five times along with Mannin Bay’s ‘organic’ salmon feedlot at Corhounagh. In September 2012, Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Mulroy Bay was infested with 58 sea lice per farmed salmon with Lough Swilly infested with a staggering 71 sea lice per farmed salmon (both over five times the Government’s sea lice protocol level)!
"Lice-infested Irish farmed salmon - including 'organic' salmon - should be avoided like the plague," said Don Staniford of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA) in a press release (18 December). "The Irish Government should be controlling sea lice infestation on salmon farms not promoting even bigger feedlots such as the proposed 15,000 tonne farm in Galway Bay. Join the boycott of farmed salmon and send a festive message to Marine Harvest that disease-ridden salmon does not belong on the Christmas menu."
GAAIA is now writing to the Irish Government, Marine Harvest and Mannin Bay Salmon asking why sea lice protocol levels are being flagrantly breached month after month - read GAAIA's letter (18 December) addressed to the Ireland's Fisheries Minister Simon Coveney online here
The Sunday Times Ireland reported (16 December):
"Gerry O’Donohue, of Mannin Bay Salmon, said sea lice were a problem for all fish farms. “We are very careful to ensure that we do everything possible to reduce the prevalence of sea lice in our salmon stocks. “We have learnt how to deal with sea lice. When high levels of sea lice are detected, we harvest the fish, as we are an organic farm and do not use chemicals,” he said.
Marine Harvest Ireland said its Irish operations were audited 14 times a year by officials from the Marine Institute. “We note that the control protocols in respect of sea lice operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the state are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions, as the inspection regime is independent of the industry,” the company said.
“Data obtained as a result of inspections is published and treatment trigger levels are set at a low level. These controls are widely accepted as representing best practice internationally. Marine Harvest Ireland conforms fully with this leading pest control strategy. “We implement tried-and- tested operational procedures to control sea lice. On occasion, given certain climatic conditions, lice can be more prevalent and this has occurred this year as the reports clearly illustrate.”
The Marine Institute declined to comment."
The Irish Examiner reported (15 December):
"Marine Harvest last night defended the figures, saying sea lice control protocols in Ireland are “more advanced that those operated in other jurisdictions as the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry”. “These controls are widely accepted as representing best practice internationally. Marine Harvest Ireland conforms fully with this leading pest-control strategy. Given certain climatic conditions, lice can be more prevalent and this has occurred this year”.
“Best practice in fish farming is to optimise stock rotation and separation by having a greater number of sites. This is why we have applied for a licence application for Shot Head, to complement our existing facilities by enabling improved rotation of our fish stocks therefore implementing best practice with regard to lice control.”
Read a year’s data on sea lice infestation on Irish salmon farms via:
- November 2012: online here
- October 2012: online here
- September 2012: online here
- August 2012: online here
- July 2012: online here
- June 2012: online here
- May 2012: online here
- April 2012: online here
- March 2012: online here
- February 2012: online here
- December 2011 to January 2012: online here
For more details see below
==========================================================================================
Lice-Infested Irish Salmon Continued
- Ireland’s
Parasite Problems Exposed by ‘FishyLeaks’
FishyLeaks today (11 December 2012) published leaked Government reports cataloguing sea lice infestation on Irish salmon farms. The damming data reveals that Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Lough Swilly was infested with 54 sea lice per fish in October 2012 – breaching the Irish Government’s protocol levels by almost five times along with Mannin Bay’s ‘organic’ salmon feedlot at Corhounagh. In September 2012, Marine Harvest’s feedlot in Mulroy Bay was infested with 58 sea lice per farmed salmon with Lough Swilly infested with a staggering 71 sea lice per farmed salmon (both over five times the Government’s sea lice protocol level)!
Read the leaked sea lice data online via FishyLeaks - including for October 2012:
And for September 2012:
Read a year’s sea lice data in full online via FishyLeaks
“The public has a right to know that the Irish salmon farming industry is already being plagued by severe sea lice infestation,” said Don Staniford of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA). “It is a policy of reckless abandon for the Irish Government to be sponsoring a new 15,000 tonne feedlot in Galway Bay – the world’s largest salmon farm which would double salmon farming production in Ireland. Sea lice infested Irish farmed salmon – including so-called ‘organic’ salmon - should be avoided like the plague.”
The revelations come in the wake of a scientific paper published by the Royal Society in November which concluded that sea lice from salmon farms are killing wild salmon. Minister of State with responsibility for Natural Resources Fergus O Dowd, TD, welcomed the report stating “from the results of this detailed study, it is crucial that sea lice levels are maintained below these protocol levels”. However, the latest ‘National Survey of Sea Lice on Fish Farms in Ireland – 2011’ published in February 2012 revealed that 50% of Irish salmon farms breached sea lice levels in 2011 compared to 40% in 2010 and 24% in 2009.
“The sea lice crisis is spiralling out of control,” continued Staniford. “No wonder the Marine Institute is desperately trying to keep a lid on the can of worms that is Irish salmon farming. Ireland is a law unto itself and is consistently flouting sea lice protocol levels despite a 2009 complaint to the European Commission by Salmon Watch Ireland. Shame on Ireland and shame on Norway which now controls over 60% of Irish salmon farming production via the Norwegian-owned multinational Marine Harvest.”
The leaked monthly sea lice reports include the following statement: “This data is supplied for the information of the recipient only and is not to be used, cited, or conveyed to third parties without the prior permission of the Marine Institute”. However last month, the Donegal News (30 November) reported on sea lice problems in Mulroy Bay and Lough Swilly. “They are intended for information only,” said a spokesperson for the Irish Government. “The full set of inspection results together with a detailed commentary is published annually and posted on the Marine Institute web-site.”
Marine Harvest’s latest financial reports refer to disease problems including sea lice infestation and Amoebic Gill Disease. Marine Harvest’s Q3 2012 report includes:
“As indicated in previous reports, the Irish operation has struggled with amoebic gill disease (AGD) for several months. Due to favourable conditions for the amoeba in the quarter, mortality losses and treatment costs were substantial in the period. Exceptional mortality in the amount of NOK 14 million was recognised in the quarter.”
Marine Harvest’s Q2 2012 report includes:
“Cost wise, feed and sea lice mitigation costs have increased compared to 2011. High mortality in the 2012 harvest generation influenced the cost level in the period and will increasingly do so going forward.”
Watch a video report from Marine Harvest’s operations in Mulroy Bay – online via “"Nature has struck back and said "No More!" - Noel Carr on Salmon Farms”
Read a year’s sea lice data in full online via FishyLeaks
- October 2012: online here
- September 2012: online here
- August 2012: online here
- July 2012: online here
- June 2012: online here
- May 2012: online here
- April 2012: online here
- March 2012: online here
- February 2012: online here
- December 2011 to January 2012: online here
Read the press release - "Lice-Infested Irish Salmon: Ireland’s Parasite Problems Exposed by ‘FishyLeaks’" - in full online here
http://www.gaaia.org/sea-lice
-------------
Salmon Farming Kills
"Salmon Farming Kills"
Put this in your pipe and smoke it."If the fish farmers want to play the same game as the cigarette manufacturers did for many years and live in denial they're welcome to it but it's not going to give rise to any solutions" (Canadian biologist Otto Langer in "Farmed Salmon Exposed")
Read our press release "Global Health Warning Issued on Farmed Salmon" issued on Monday 31st January 2011.
Coming soon - the new report from GAAIA: "Smoke on the Water, Cancer on the Coast"
Salmon Farming Kills Wild Fish
Salmon Farming - Harming Wildlife and Spreading Diseases
Salmon Farming Killing Communities and Workers
Salmon Farming is Toxic and Poison
“I would never feed a child farmed salmon,” said Canadian scientist David Suzuki (as quoted in The Toronto Star). “It’s poison!"
http://www.gaaia.org/salmon-farming-kills
-------------------
From Canada with love: Newage Climate Changers-pls remember the world's humanity cares- pls b respectful and polite- We are a new breed of environs- community based-smart and savvy - no more hippies and $$$$ protests and their party lines - let's be truly green- and please remember to honour France as the world mourns- human dignity and respect is courage and global children need to see the world Climate Change meeting strong and respectful...imho.- blogs/links.... O Canada..... God's last nature playground on this whole planet...... NO FRACKING.....
BLOGGED:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS- Hey Canadians lets hug our troops close and just make Canada great- USA CHINA IMF OWN WORLD ECONOMY… so let’s just make our Nature’s last home on this planet, our Canada, totally self-sufficient like our forefathers/mothers did/VOTE/ April 6/15
http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2015/04/canada-military-news-2015-love-our.html
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NO MORE PRETEND FISH DESTROYING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR FISH- USING NOVA SCOTIA TAX $$$$ -LIKE COOKE- 4 God's sake look at the mess of China- all political parties play this game.... NO MORE...
More than 400 call for new rules on fish farming in Nova Scotia
BILL POWER BUSINESS REPORTER
Published January 8, 2015 - 6:17pm
Last Updated January 8, 2015 - 11:00pm
A woman holds a sign in support of the recently released final report of the Independent Aquaculture Regulatory Review for Nova Scotia during a news conference at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax on Thursday. Hundreds of people representing dozens of community groups and organizations from around the province attended the conference. (RYAN TAPLIN / Staff)
More than 400 people from community organizations across Nova Scotia turned out for a rally in Halifax on Thursday to issue a joint call for aquaculture reform.
The head table at a news conference organized by the Nova Scotia chapter of the Atlantic Coalition for Aquaculture Reform included dozens of representatives of conservation groups, commercial fisheries organizations and even tourism operators.
It was a massive show of support for the final report of the Independent Aquaculture Regulatory Review for Nova Scotia panel, released Dec. 16.
“We do not want these critical recommendations to languish in some bureaucratic backroom,” Raymond Plourde, with the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, told participants.
There were repeated calls from a series of speakers for the province to adopt all recommendations included in the report, which Dalhousie University law professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey wrote.
“This is government’s opportunity to demonstrate leadership in producing a world-class regulatory system,” said Gloria Gilbert of Coastal Community Advocates.
The Doelle-Lahey report recommended protection of wild fish and lobster from the negative affects of fish farms.
It included, among other things, a call for regulations favouring aquaculture operations with low environmental impact and high economic value to the province.
“The report attempts to balance environmental concerns with the need to have a strong economy, and we support its immediate implementation,” Wendy Watson Smith, with the Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore, told participants.
The coalition organized the rally as a prelude to a strategy session for the organization in Halifax on Friday.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell said at the legislature a departmental review of the report was underway and due for completion in April.
“We’re very happy with the recommendations put forward, and we’re reviewing every item.”
Colwell said it was too early to comment on the coalition’s call for provincial adoption of all recommendations for regulatory reform recommended in the report.
The Doelle-Lahey report is available at www.aquaculturereview.ca.
With Michael Gorman,
provincial reporter
http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1261721-more-than-400-call-for-new-rules-on-fish-farming-in-nova-scotia
http://www.aquaculturereview.ca/
------------------
---------------
NO MORE PRETEND FISH DESTROYING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR FISH- USING NOVA SCOTIA TAX $$$$ -LIKE COOKE- 4 God's sake look at the mess of China- all political parties play this game.... NO MORE...
More than 400 call for new rules on fish farming in Nova Scotia
BILL POWER BUSINESS REPORTER
Published January 8, 2015 - 6:17pm
Last Updated January 8, 2015 - 11:00pm
A woman holds a sign in support of the recently released final report of the Independent Aquaculture Regulatory Review for Nova Scotia during a news conference at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax on Thursday. Hundreds of people representing dozens of community groups and organizations from around the province attended the conference. (RYAN TAPLIN / Staff)
More than 400 people from community organizations across Nova Scotia turned out for a rally in Halifax on Thursday to issue a joint call for aquaculture reform.
The head table at a news conference organized by the Nova Scotia chapter of the Atlantic Coalition for Aquaculture Reform included dozens of representatives of conservation groups, commercial fisheries organizations and even tourism operators.
It was a massive show of support for the final report of the Independent Aquaculture Regulatory Review for Nova Scotia panel, released Dec. 16.
“We do not want these critical recommendations to languish in some bureaucratic backroom,” Raymond Plourde, with the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, told participants.
There were repeated calls from a series of speakers for the province to adopt all recommendations included in the report, which Dalhousie University law professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey wrote.
“This is government’s opportunity to demonstrate leadership in producing a world-class regulatory system,” said Gloria Gilbert of Coastal Community Advocates.
The Doelle-Lahey report recommended protection of wild fish and lobster from the negative affects of fish farms.
It included, among other things, a call for regulations favouring aquaculture operations with low environmental impact and high economic value to the province.
“The report attempts to balance environmental concerns with the need to have a strong economy, and we support its immediate implementation,” Wendy Watson Smith, with the Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore, told participants.
The coalition organized the rally as a prelude to a strategy session for the organization in Halifax on Friday.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell said at the legislature a departmental review of the report was underway and due for completion in April.
“We’re very happy with the recommendations put forward, and we’re reviewing every item.”
Colwell said it was too early to comment on the coalition’s call for provincial adoption of all recommendations for regulatory reform recommended in the report.
The Doelle-Lahey report is available at www.aquaculturereview.ca.
With Michael Gorman,
provincial reporter
http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1261721-more-than-400-call-for-new-rules-on-fish-farming-in-nova-scotia
http://www.aquaculturereview.ca/
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