Moratorium, data sharing and environmental review suggested
More than 150 people showed up in Shelburne Thursday to hear Inka Milewski, Science Advisor to the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, give a scientific guided tour of the sea bottom in Shelburne Harbour, under the site of a decommissioned salmon farm.
As part of the Aquaculture Dialogues series, Milewski presented the results of the first year of a multi-year research program in the Inner Shelburne Harbour conducted with the assistance of Nova Scotia-based McGregor GeoScience Ltd.
The seafloor imaging and benthic sampling survey at the old Sandy Point salmon aquaculture site showed a considerable degradation of the bottom.
Results of the survey indicate the area of sea bottom below the decommissioned site was highly contaminated and had a very low biodiversity rating. In a CBC interview Friday, Milewski described the sea bottom under the site as "grossly polluted" by large, white "bacterial mats."
The bottom surveyed had lost much of its biodiversity and was populated by a large number of "capitela" worms, which are known to thrive in environments rich in sulphur dioxide, which, she said, is a by-product of high sulphide levels resulting from concentrations of fish feces.
The results of the survey suggest that the entire Inner Shelburne Harbour may not have the capacity to assimilate the "organic waste load" from its multiple farm sites and that additional, sustained, cumulative organic waste loading may prove disastrous for salmon farm operators in Inner Shelburne Harbor.
Milewski revealed that salmon cage sites in Shelburne Harbour - and those likely to be approved in Jordan Bay - far exceed the guidelines for fish numbers established by Fishers and Oceans Canada. The likely consequence, says Milewski, is that the farm operators will continue to suffer regular losses from disease outbreaks and that the sites will become "dead zones" in which aquaculture cannot thrive.
Milewski said that, in her decades of research in the area, she has seen regular outbreaks of infectious salmon anemia (ISA), sea lice infect caged salmon populations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In February, Cooke Aquaculture was forced to slaughter 700,000 salmon in Shelburne Harbour and last week a firm in Newfoundland was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to slaughter more ISA-infected fish.
In April, Milewski sent a copy of the report and her findings to Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau, with an invitation to meet with him to discuss her findings. She said that, to date, she has had no response to her offer.
The data gathered and analyzed by Milewski and colleagues led to her recommendation that the Inner Shelburne Harbour be cleared of all salmon farm sites. The farm sites are the most significant contributor or organic and nutrient loading to the Harbour and are preventing the Harbour from recovering,” says Milewski.
Further, based on her findings, Milewski says the provincial government must place a moratorium on licensing new salmon farm sites until it conducts a thorough environmental review of existing sites.
The government must release all environmental monitoring data for all existing salmon farm sites, says Milewski. “If the province can’t publicly produce environmental monitoring data from existing fish farms in a timely manner,” she says, “They certainly can’t be relied upon to act when environmental damage is being done by these farms”.
Milewski has presented these findings in Ottawa concerning the former Sandy Point site, before the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and has been an expert witness in the hearing by the Maine government regarding fin fish aquaculture regulations there.
The evening concluded with a showing of "Salmon Wars", a just-released documentary by Silver Donald Cameron.
LISTEN TO CBC INTERVIEW WITH MILEWSKI
HEAR AQUACULTURE MINISTER STERLING BELLIVEAU ON CBC
Scroll down the page, see : “Aquaculture Money” with Sterling Belliveau and also “Aquaculture PR Wars” with PR professor Barbra Imodie.
HEAR FORMER FEDERAL FISHERIES CRITIC PETER STOFFER ON CBC
SEE COAST GUARD STORY ABOUT JORDAN BAY FARMS
Comments
Environmental damage to the harbour started when the first toilet was flushed into it.The Milewski Survey of the Shelburne Harbour although a good effort may not be very credible in that the sample was so small,the control area perhaps was too close to the farm and no tangible comparison of what the unfarmed harbour bottom condition is. Near the end of the presentation Milewski appeared to be gropping for information a good survey would have made available. It was amazing to see the level of interest shown by part time foreign residents.Quite amusing when someone spoke of the strict American Environmental regulations.
Apparently that person does not read the papers or watch television! The US operates like a third world country in so many ways with denial all along the way. This is certainly a good starting point but just the facts please
backed up by good data!
The sea floor under a salmon pen becomes a DEAD ZONE for fish and lobsters it is not a good place
The only safe place for salmon farming is in an closed tank, like the one they build on the west coast. Salmon poop is not released, the environment is preserved. www.agrimarine.com
Shelburne could be the world's big salmon farming center, but it should be in these closed tanks, NOT open nets that are harmful to the environment.
The closed tank salmon farm could use wind turbines to help power the pumps. There is no excuse not to use these closed tanks to farm salmon.
Hi Just Someone.
I can see it now, a giant closed pen, sinking to the bottom of the Shelburne Harbour. It will be majestic. I'm assumeing you haven't seen this report: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaTvrqA36o8&feature=player_embedded . I don't want to do all your research for you but I can also let you know that DFO later confirmed that fish escaped. I'm guessing their poop did too.
Well I did not know that.
What are you suggesting? Do you like the current open net salmon farms.
Are you one of those who just say no something and offer no idea on how to make something work better ?
A totally land based salmon farm is being tried somewhere. Land is pretty cheap here, Cooke probably has an excuse for that too.
When you have Cooke's spindoctor Ms. Nell Halse informing a Maine journalist that Nova Scotia's standards are lower than Maine's "gold standards" says it all.
Why fight gold standard regulations in Maine, when you're given free rein in Nova Scotia waters - it's a no brainer.
How many dead zones are there in our harbour now, and how many more will be permitted to up the total?
Our commercial fishermen have supported our economy for generations, and now we have the Minister of Fisheries and Environment ignoring their protests - which hat is Sterling actually wearing today, or has he intentionally ditched both of them?
Time to speak up people..........
" Gold standard regulations in Maine",yeah! The Americans only stand second to Mexico in poor environmental practises.Nuclear plants all over the easter seaboard.
Oil rigs that lierally kick safety inspectors off before
the whole operation goes south! The Americans have buried much bigger problems, than what is suggested here, in their buracratic BS.
Exactly levelman - if Cooke's spokeswoman considered Maine's "gold standard" regulations too onerous to deal with, what does that say about Nova Scotia's lax environment and fisheries ministries?
It appears Jimmy wasn't all wrong when he referred to this area as a banana republic - our incompetent pols and councils will never learn - pity.
(BTW nuclear energy is the way to go, but natural gas is a close second.)
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/116825-infected-atlantic-salmon-...
Brian Medel is gloating over this - handed to him on a silver platter - pity.
"My Two Cents Worth" you seem more intelligent to go with out out of context comments and to believe that the
great USA is anymore than a cesspool with it comes to the environment. I am always amazed as to how easy hype passes as truth!
There was no "quote mining" there levelman.
It must be the heat, as you seem to have misread my comments.
It is my firm belief that N.S. environmental standards are below grade, if Halse considered the Yank's marine regulations too much for Cooke to deal with.
Just my opinion of course - not even worth two cents today. Cheers.
I was using quotation marks because I was quoting you.
Yeah, must be the heat or you would see how ridiculous it is to reference anything to US standards!They have left environmental messes all over the globe.
I give up levelman. Cheers.
www.nycswim.org If you looked at the link you would see that the waters around New York city are clean enough to swim in. They have environmental laws in the U.S.A.
OK. Would you like to a bridge...as the saying goes! Halifax Harbour is clean enough to swim in some days also.......but which days would it be safe to swim in either harbour! Have a glass of your favourite beverage laced with ice cubes and relish the fact that we live in a country where we can have this dialog without fear of a knock on the door.........have to go there's someone at my door!!!!!!
I really like living in a free country, where you can say what you think
http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/story/pooping-bed/11552
Other than the lice and the virus's, the biggest, and most lasting /devastating by product appears to be feces and wasted food. This can't be that hard to deal with. These folks seem to be very good at putting plastic pipe together, so why not have plastic piping running along the bottom of these pens. Have holes in said pipes, and perhaps baffle plates leading to said holes. If you then maintained a constant low pressure in these(via vacuum / pump etc)said shit will be sucked into said holes, travel along said pipes and can be screened out before the water returns to said ocean. 'nuff said.
The way to solve these problems is to put fish farms on land.
This is commonly done around the world and I have a list of 51 different on-land, mostly-closed systems comprising more than 8055 actual on-land farms: http://fishfarmnews.blogspot.ca/2012/01/key-document-34-mostly-on-land-c....
Then the fish farms should be made to pay for the clean up. They only use the ocean now to use it as a free, open sewer.
And, of course, Belliveau just gave $25 million to Cooke, when they have been charged with using Cypermethrin for two years and face millions in charges and jail time, except for one thing: they are looking into the evidence. This allows them to get the story out of the news while receiving the $25 million. Shameful.
Consumers will have the final word, now that it's legal to sell unmarked, diseased salmon - yuck.
People will buy it. If we'll eat Lobsters, we'll eat anything. Lobsters eat shit, and are clearly identified over the centuries as something which are "not fit to eat", "poor man's food", "bottom feeders."
I had some the other night, this morning I had eggs which I have no idea how they were produced, (well sort of) and in a bit here, I'm gonna tear into about a pound of what used to be a cow's arse end. I don't know what was done with that either, except I do know we didn't ban the cow brains in feed which caused the mad cow cow business.
If they are too cost prohibitive to place on land, (which would be my choice), and they're screwing up the inner coast, then they should be placed off shore. Other countries are doing this. They are controlled and monitored, and even the feeding is done by Satelite.
If there was a stipulation attached to the "money" which was a requirement to be inovative towards making a sustainable, controlable closed or offshore set-up, I don't mind my tax dollars going there. And if it's research and development, and has an export value attached to it, it becomes Federal territory. There's money for that.
We could be world leaders towards knowing how to clean up the shit of a few billion salmon a year. And there's money in that too.
We'll see how it goes when the consumer speaks, and the markets tank. (BTW crude language isn't necessary to get your point across.)
Ahh. Sorry. I will from here forth refer to everything as feces, mucking with, or other candy coated versions of my venacular. My sincere appologies for using such abusive language and shocking your morals.
Maybe we need more of just plain language and less bull shit. Give me plain language containing sincere thought
and keep the candy covered insincerity.
I thought I was being clear about all this feces. There are ways to deal with it which we have not been identified yet. That was my point. We need to come up with a solution which will work for all parties concerned. If land based Aquaculture isn't in the program, we need to find another way to make it work.
Dragging our lobster industry down with falsehoods is a poor argument Mr. Davis - unless you opt to differ with scientific research.
The myth of lobsters being scavengers was debunked years ago - this link is just a primer on the facts. http://www.lobsterscience.ca/Ask_A_Scientist/habitat/Lobsters_Eat
OK. So I'm done with this. I am trying to have a conversation with perhaps a half a dozen people, some of whom could be the very same person for all I know. I have put my name up here front and centre from the beginning. And not another soul has come forth except as an Avitar. Why?
I'll concentrate my energy on people I know, who aren't afraid to put their name on the plate, and who can have a dialogue which accomplishes things instead of a pissing contest. I don't know the answers. But I will find them, and I'm pretty sure I won't find them here.
You might be interested to know that the lobster industry as it applies to Shelburne harbour, would equate to about one half of one percent of the local catch, be about a number of fishers I could count on one hand, and is a cottage industry at best. Have you been on a Lobster boat? I have. Many times. In every situation when hauling traps, I could not even see land. I'm not going to allow myself to be angry, (especially by a CFA) but you too need to know the facts. I spent a good portion of my life on the water, Dragging, Handlining, Lobstering, scalloping, and you name it. And you don't have a clue.
You folks all have a nice day. Cheers.
"My Two Cents Worth" read up on the life of a lobster.They are truly bottom feeders. Lobsters are the
crows of the ocean. They just happen to taste better!
Mr Davis please do not stop passing out the common sense.
We greatly need an honest researcher who has common sense to give us the low down on aquaculture.
Lobsters eat crabs, clams and fish if they can catch one NOT salmon POOP
I was born and raised here Mr. Davis, and have many friends and acquaintances who make their living fishing.
That's not to say a come-from-awayer shouldn't care about what these salmon pens are doing to Shelburne Harbour - they pay their fair share in taxes, and have added greatly to our communities.
I hear complaints about "those" fish pens from locals, fishermen, and come-from-awayers.
As for your, "...you don't have a clue." - surely you can do better than ad hominem attacks sir. Isn't that what your mayor is noted for?
I don't know anything about aquaculture. But I'm willing to learn. I may be a dreamer, but I want to see it all work, for the benefit of our community, the environment and the economy. But as I pointed out earlier, I'm not going to argue with people who hide behind a pseudonym. I'm trying very hard to find the positives in this, and dealing with the negatives.
It's not going away, so let's try to find a way that makes it work, instead of creating more useless flap. Sorry ... Out of here. I'm going to try my best to sort it out. You can play with your marbles here meanwhile. And keep your names secret all you like.
Rick: you are correct you are the only one to use your real name.I guess I do not use mine because I am not as
secure as you. It irks me when the CFA's think they know it all and are God's gift to the area. Well they don't and they are not!Over the months we have not always agreed
but I hope we have a mutual respect for our thoughts.Keep
on writting because we need your realism and practical knowledge. Like you I live here 24/7 and am not just here a few months of the year to partake in the health care provided by the tax dollar of us 24/7-ers.
The last thing we need to do is start arguing amongst ourselves. Since it appears the conversation often gets convoluted and astray, I'm saying again, I'm not going to participate in this any longer. I love my neighbours, and I'm not about to mess that up over something we really can't change. Flogging a dead horse. I am unsubscribing.
Don't let the facts get in the way levelman - the link provided above was factual. Do your research, provide a link, and then we might listen to what you have to say.
Until then, besmirching new arrivals to Shelburne County is quite rude and unnecessary.
We need all the tax dollars we can add to the coffers, and our businesses need customers - for heavens sake man, don't scare them away with your rants.
My Two Cents Worth: I never rant:just do not always agree with you!Who says anyone listens to you.You hardly ever have a thought that is of your own!If my comments offend
you grow up or go play in your sand box.We are not living
in a communist state.........or even an American. You certainly give commonsense and fair play a bad name.
I think I will join Rick and unsubscribe. Maybe in time you can rant to yourself. In the meantime stuff a soother in your mouth!
I think all of us have valuable arguments and solutions. So if you are serious about it all, why don't you pony up? If you would like to talk sensibly, you can contact me here. [email protected]. Then I'll know who I'm talking to, and I will never release your true identity on this blog. Otherwise ... last post. BTW My Two Cents, if you knew mw me, you would never refer to me as Mr. Davis, You would refer to me as Rick. Either you don't know me from squat, or you're making believe you don't?
We can make it work or we can waste time making it not work. Your call. Ta.
Rick: how do you unsubscribe from this site? I truly do not know how and can not find out...........
You must be joshing Mr. Davis, as I live in the land where many neighbours are pro-Cooke, and I do not know who you are, other than what you have told us.
For me to be known as a naysayer to the promised 300+ jobs would be asking for trouble from a few of those strong supporters.
Many feel their relatives will move back once Cooke builds their processing plant - highly unlikely they'll quit their well paying jobs in Alberta for close to minimum wage here.
Until Mr. G. requires we use our true names, I'll remain anonymous - simply because I realize my two cents isn't worth a hill of beans.
Kudos to our local webmaster for allowing us to give our opinion on the most controversial topic since our councils allowed the SWSDA farce to go on under their noses. Their insanity continues today - go figure.
So what you are saying you are not really proud to be stabbing your neighbours in the back so to speak. I will
gladly reveal myself if you do the same. Thought so!
Lets both do it at 11:15pm to night.......
I already did. And I can't figure out how to block this yet. :0)
It's 11:37! Quiet as a mouse. LOL!
LOL!
If you're really a part of Shelburne, go here and get involved:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/410330662352583/
Seems I can't get out of it, so here's another one or two. Be happy. We're lucky:
http://www.exploreshelburnecounty.ca/aerials.html
http://www.exploreshelburnecounty.ca/explore.html
I would use my name but my wife would kill me, why because her friends take it out on her for what I say sometimes
so there
The salmon farm makes too much poop
they make dead zones
move the salmon farm on to land, that way everyone would be happy
http://ht.ly/cgLaM
Very concerning interviews about what is left under an aquaculture pen.
Reader: I listened to the radio interview. It somewhat migates
the dire situation portrayed in the Milewski spiel taking
a more practical view of the operation.We all want the truth but I find those against fish farming are very vindictive.
Gosh,I promised myself not to put any more comments here!!
I promised myself I wouldn't either. But just to clarify through all my ranting, the first post I made on here (where I was using all the dirty language)was describing a method to improve the operation, at minimal cost, which would work.
I know these farms are not going anywhere.
I'm pretty sure there will be more of them.
And I know that the fish droppings are harmful. There is no doubt in my mind and you don't need to be a marine biologist to figure that out.
So, in light of the above, there needs to me a method whereby the waste can be collected before it hits the bottom or gets wisked away by the tides.
It could become standard equipment on all open net farms around the world. We can design, test and manufacture the system here. We get to put people to work, make money, and save the world all at the same time. You could even maintain and empty it under contract with the fish companies, and reclaim the waste as fertilizer. Most of the good things we have in life are here because of something bad. And that is the direction I intend to persue.
Sure there are fixes. Compared to many other challenges this is simple.Cookes will drag their feet if not prompted by the legislators. Then there are the others who are simply against it because it spoils ther view. Too
bad!!
Well, I wouldn't want it in my view either, but that's the luck of the draw as they say. Sometimes life just sucks.
Using a device like this COULD become legislation if it works and is feasable. It would save everyone a bunch of greif, including Cooke's. There's probably funding available for research and development. Maybe Cooke's kicks in as well.
Ever since I've been a little kid, I have had an innovative mind. I always try to figure out how to make things work, or work better, and I have international patents to prove it. The "poop" on the bottom is a huge problem. And I look at that as an opportunity, not a liability.
It would be interesting to know if Lil MacPherson has penned salmon on The Wooden Monkey menu - highly doubtful.
Her buddy Dexter has no doubt sampled it if it is.
(Ooops, just checked and she has scallops, mussels, lobster and haddock for seafood - no penned salmon - go figure...)