Department of Justice charges Marine Harvest Canada

April 21, 2010

Marine Harvest Canada has been given notice today of four charges under the Fisheries Act concerning wild fish in our net pens.

Marine Harvest Canada is now taking the time to review the charges and related information. “We take this matter very seriously and we will be carefully studying the information provided to support the charges”, says Clare Backman, Director of Sustainability for Marine Harvest Canada. “We are unable to say more at this time as the matter is before the courts.”

Marine Harvest Canada will update this website as more information becomes available.

A few facts about wild fish/farmed fish interactions;

• As net pens allow sea water to travel through the mesh, it’s not unusual to see small wild fish swim in and out of the nets.
• Studies done at BC farms have found that farm-raised fish do not target wild fish as food while they pass through the nets. (Hay, Black et al, Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. .Aquat. Sci 2662; 2004).
• Farm raised salmon are not a chronic disease risk to wild fish as confirmed through government health audit results showing 97% survival to harvest. (Mark Sheppard SCOFO testimony April 14, 2010)
• Sea lice levels on farm raised fish are reduced to near zero levels in the spring when small salmon are migrating. (Marine Harvest sea lice summary)