There’s been yet another salmon escape from a fish farm. One aquaculture company on the south coast has lost 20,000 salmon from a sea cage. Salmon escapes like this are not new. Large-scale escapes from open pen fish farming operations have happened on both the east and west coasts of Canada. Unfortunately, when this occurs, there’s a risk that they could breed with wild salmon causing reduced genetic diversity and reduced fitness in wild populations. Furthermore, when open-pen farmed salmon escape, wild salmon are faced with a new competitor for resources. Increasingly, research shows this happening to wild salmon as well as the negative effects it’s having on their populations. This latest escape from Hermitage Bay is just another example of why this industry (as it currently operates) needs to end. Keep your eyes peeled for our aquaculture report for more information on CWF’s position on the industry.
[IMAGE]
CWF
Our mission is to conserve and inspire the conservation of Canada’s wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all.
