Submitter: Joel Durand

Community: Campbell RIver

Date Submitted: October 15, 2023

Summary:

The 2009 annual fish health report confirms that BC farm-raised salmon are very healthy. Previous annual reports have been available online since 2003. If fish health and aquaculture is of interest to the commission, then it should investigate interactions between wild salmon and the billions of hatchery-raised salmon that are released each year.

Submission:

The Commission will provide a good opportunity for BC salmon farmers to showcase how well their business is run. Probably bust a few myths. The 2009 annual fish health report is now out and confirms once again that BC farm-raised salmon are very healthy. These annual reports have been available online since 2003.



But I do find it interesting that the Commission seems only focused on the health of BC farmed salmon. There are less than 40 million farmed salmon that may interact with Fraser river sockeye, but there are literally billions of hatchery raised salmon (Oregon, California, BC and Alaska) that are released each year and also mingle with Fraser sockeye. When these salmon are released from hatcheries they are also potential disease carriers. If fish health and aquaculture is of interest to the Commission, then they should certainly look at all aspects of fish health and aquaculture, not just one.



Joel Durand