FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wild Game Fish Conservation International calls for removal of salmon feedlots Olympia, Washington (November 2, 2011) – Wild Game Fish Conservation International (WGFCI) recommends immediate removal of all floating, open Atlantic salmon feedlots sited in wild Pacific salmon ecosystems. We do this because of the strong evidence that practices associated with farmed Atlantic salmon feedlots negatively impact wild Pacific salmon and steelhead trout, marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, Orca whales, as well as other wildlife associated with otherwise healthy wild Pacific salmon ecosystems. Jim Wilcox, publisher and co-editor of Legacy, the monthly, non-commercial publication by Wild Game Fish Conservation International said, "The negative impacts to local ecosystems, cultures and economies due to irresponsible and immoral practices directly associated with floating, open Atlantic salmon feedlots far outweigh any potential benefits."
Wilcox continues, “With recent, confirmed detection of the European strain of the Infectious Salmon Anemia virus in wild sockeye and coho salmon in British Columbia along with reports of lethal removal of hundreds of marine mammals to protect farmed Atlantic salmon crops, now is the time to do what is necessary to protect wild Pacific salmon.
Bruce Treichler, co-editor of Legacy said, “elected and appointed officials at all levels must enforce state, national and international regulations in order to protect extremely valuable, wild Pacific salmon and steelhead trout from known and unknown diseases and various parasites directly associated with floating, open Atlantic salmon feedlots.” Treichler said. “Until it can be scientifically confirmed that these salmon feedlots don’t impact wild Pacific salmon, they must be removed from wild Pacific salmon ecosystems.”
Wild Game Fish Conservation International, its affiliate organizations and associates support the ongoing efforts by US Senator Maria Cantwell (Washington State), Marine Biologist Dr. Alexandra Morton (British Columbia) and others to understand and quantify the negative impacts associated with floating, open Atlantic salmon feedlots on wild Pacific salmon and on the ecosystems, cultures and economies that rely on their sustained health. Contact: James Wilcox Publisher, Legacy Wild Game Fish Conservation International (360) 352-7988 ###