Concerns raised by salmon group over discoveries of farmed fish in East Coast rivers
A conservation group is raising alarm bells about the discovery of farmed salmon in East Coast rivers, citing research suggesting the potential interbreeding could damage the wild stocks' long-term health.
Two Atlantic salmon originally from aquaculture sites were among seven adult fish collected on Nova Scotia's Gaspereau River this year by the federal Fisheries Department, the Atlantic Salmon Federation said Friday in a news release.
The New Brunswick-based conservation group said it was the second year in a row -- and the third time since 2017 -- that escapees were removed from the Gaspereau River. The fish captured in Nova Scotia were being collected for a Fisheries Department hatchery, where populations of endangered Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon are maintained, the federation said.
The salmon federation cited studies over the past two decades indicating that when domesticated salmon breed with wild fish, their offspring are less fit, contributing to population decline. A 2003 study published in a Royal Society journal found that farmed salmon in Ireland consistently showed lower freshwater and ocean survival compared to wild salmon and that hybrid salmon were weaker than wild salmon.
In addition, the Royal Society article noted that the escapees were larger and tended to consume more resources, "thus the competitive effect on its own serves to reduce the fitness of the wild population irrespective of genetic changes in the population."
The salmon federation said that this year, four aquaculture salmon were captured at a dam on the Union River in Maine and that federation scientists discovered three aquaculture salmon trying to enter the Magaguadavic River in New Brunswick.
"We have worked with industry and government for years to implement ways of tracing escapes back to their owners so we can address the causes of these events," said Kris Hunter, the federation's director of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island programs.
Hunter said that overall, "progress has been incredibly slow."
Susan Farquharson, executive director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, said in an email that while her group has discussed the discovery of the two fish collected in the Gaspereau River, it hasn't had the opportunity to review the data on them.
"Escape events are rare and are largely a result of extreme weather events," she said. "Occasionally, a small number of fish escape due to human error when fish are being handled."
Farquharson said farmed salmon are "very poorly suited" to surviving or reproducing in the wild, adding that in the rare event an escape occurs during the breeding season and the fish survives to maturity, "research shows that the natural selection process will continue to play a significant role, so any genetic impact would be very low."
The risks of escapes are being reduced by "robust" efforts to contain farmed salmon by industry, she added. Those measures, Farquharson said, include the use of "predator exclusion" nets, which are composed of high-density polyethylene mesh and stainless steel wire, and the use of frequent net and equipment inspections.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.