Submitter: Robert and Deborah Sherwood

Community: Osoyoos

Date Submitted: September 15, 2023

Summary:

Scientific evidence shows that sea lice, antibiotics and sewage from open net pen fish farms are causing the disappearance of wild salmon. The commission should recommend that salmon farms, which are operated in an uncooperative, disdainful and probably illegal fashion, be removed from ocean waters.

Submission:

Salmon are the heartbeat of British Columbia’s environment. They provide us with beauty, ecological integrity, food and money. We owe it to them to honour, respect, value and protect their continued well-being.



Open water fish farms with their lice, antibiotics and sewage are not the way to do that. The scientific research and literature are unequivocal and clear now – we risk losing our magnificent salmon if the open water fish farms are allowed to continue.



The companies controlling BC salmon fish farms are operating in an uncooperative, disdainful and probably illegal fashion.



It would be to our total shame and an enormous tragedy if we continue to acquiesce to their vested interests while witnessing the disappearance of the salmon – fish farms must be removed from open waters.



Please do your best to assure that science and common sense prevail so that we can enjoy many future generations of wild salmon.



With thanks for your wise consideration of our submission.



Bob and Deb Sherwood