Farmed vs Wild

The struggle in understanding the farmed salmon vs wild salmon debate can be completely aggravating, and confusing.  Again, credible sources are important. What is also important are regulations which govern international billion dollar companies seeking to put their salmon farms all along the coast of BC.  I read an article recently on the CommonSenseCanadian about how the fish farm companies get up to $30/fish for entire culls of fish needing to be destroyed because of disease ruining the harvest. The CFIA  sends a cheque because many fish farm companies "have difficulty getting insurance because they lose so many 'crops' to-wait for it disease" 


If you want clear cut information with credible sources about fish farm industry, check out the website Farmed and Dangerous organized for the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR). The Living Oceans Society, The David Suzuki Foundation, The Georgia Strait Alliance and the T.Buck Suzuki Foundation are all part of this coallition.  


There is always some players in any industry who take responsibility towards improving the industry they are a part of.  A variety of companies have moved or developed their fish farming programs into on land tanks.  The Broughton Archipelago Monitoring Program (BAMP) involves 3 major fish farming companies, CAAR and researchers working collaboratively to study history of area in regards to sea lice factors/transmission to wild stocks.  


Another positive I have seen is the difference between farmed shellfish standards/practices from those of the fish farm industry. For a great example, check out the website for Sawmill Bay Shellfish Co. which does visit the Vancouver Farmers Market at times.