Licence to Kill

Download Google Earth map with details on each reported site, entanglement deaths and kills January - March 2011.

Salmon farmers in B.C. are licensed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to kill 'persistent' predators that see thousands of penned salmon as a smorgasbord there for the taking. These targeted 'predators' are harbour seals and California sea lions. As well, DFO issues special permits to salmon farmers to kill Steller sea lions- a Species of Special Concern under Canada's Species at Risk Act.

How can DFO permit the killing of marine mammals when they are mandated to conserve and protect the health of our oceans and wild species? DFO even has a 'recovery plan' in place to help rebuild the at-risk Steller sea lion population. It's crazy. Pease take a moment to tell them enough is enough.

And as you know, marine mammal kills are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to net-cage salmon farms.

The recent suspicion of the European strain of ISAv (Infectious Salmon Anemia virus) potentially infecting wild Pacific salmon

sea lice from the farms infecting juvenile wild salmon

waste

escaped farmed Atlantic salmon

chemical, antibiotic and pesticide use on the farms

All these problems are associated with net-cage salmon farming. It really is past time for the salmon aquaculture industry to get off the wild salmon migration routes, out of the paths of marine mammals and move to more responsible technology such as closed containment systems.

Please send an e-mail or write a letter to Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield. Tell him you're a voter and that you want your federal government to stop the killing, stop the polluting, stop the spread of disease and parasites and that you want him to start moving the salmon farming industry to closed containment NOW.

Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield

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Dear Minister Ashfield,

As the Minister responsible for the health of our oceans, the future of our wild salmon and the recovery of at-risk marine mammals, I am asking you today to right the wrongs that are being done on your watch.

I am deeply concerned that you continue to allow Fisheries and Oceans Canada to issue permits to the net-cage salmon farming industry to deliberately kill Steller sea lions, a species listed as "of special concern" under your government's Species at Risk Act. How can this be allowed to continue when the same government department is also charged with implementing a Steller sea lion Recovery Plan? Does shooting these beautiful creatures, or tolerating their death by drowning in farm nets, facilitate their recovery?

The list of problems associated with net-cage salmon farming is long. The deliberate slaughter of harbour seals, Stellers and California sea lions is just the tip of the iceberg. The recent news of the ISA virus possibly infecting wild Pacific salmon accelerates the need to act to address the myriad impacts of net-cage salmon farming. Sea lice from farms infecting wild salmon, escapes of non-indigenous fish, transfer of disease, the use of chemicals, pesticides and antibiotics in our oceans, the waste and debris and now the charges laid against Cooke Aquaculture in New Brunswick for alleged illegal use of a banned chemical toxic to lobsters all add up to a strong case for action.

As the minister responsible for this industry and its potentially devastating impacts, I am asking you to act. Please set a course for the full transition of open net-cage salmon aquaculture to closed containment technology. The retail demand for more sustainable seafood continues to expand. Now is the time for Canada to begin to ensure a future for aquaculture on our coasts, to secure jobs and export markets and anticipate the growing demand. Please, Minister Ashfield, deny the approval of any new net-cage salmon farms in B.C., refuse any further permits for the deliberate killing of marine mammals, institute strong penalties for any aquaculture company violating the conditions of their license and begin the transition to a more responsible, more sustainable closed containment aquaculture industry.

Licence to Kill

Sustainable Fisheries and Salmon Farming Campaign Manager