Aquaculture debate dominates Cohen Commission's C.R. visit

Dan Maclennan
August 27, 2010
The Courier Islander

The federal inquiry into the 2009 Fraser River sockeye collapse turned quickly into a two-and-a-half-hour aquaculture debate Wednesday night in Campbell River.

But amid the predictable rhetoric from both sides was a common dissatisfaction with fisheries management.

Aquaculture biologist Kevin Onclin, a former DFO contractor, had some of the strongest criticism for the $15 million Cohen Commission.

"Setting up proper monitoring and reporting of sockeye populations requires a lot of money, and without the funding, it's guesswork," he told Commissioner Bruce Cohen. "I think a better use of the money from this commission would have been to finance and improve the ongoing monitoring and management of the Fraser River sockeye."

Last year Fisheries experts predicted a return of 10.5 million sockeye to the BC coast, but only 1.5 million came back, one of the worst returns ever.

Established last November, the commission is holding hearings to investigate the collapse. Cohen is to make recommendations for improving the future sustainability of the sockeye fishery, including changes to DFO management of the fishery. Campbell River's was the second of eight public forums scheduled in communities along the sockeye migratory route.

The commission was directed to conduct the inquiry without seeking fault, but there was no shortage of blame to go around at the Campbell River meeting as First Nations, environmentalists and tourism operators blamed fish farm sea lice and disease for the sockeye collapse. These were countered by a succession of aquaculture industry biologists armed with presentations defending industry practices and dismissing the concerns of opponents.

Both sides agreed sockeye information and management is lacking from DFO. Highlighting that theme was Wednesday's news of a massive sockeye return this year - estimated at 25 million - which DFO failed to anticipate.

Read the full story in the Courier Islander

Read related stories:

• The Northern View; September 7, 2010; "DFO takes the brunt of the blame at Cohen Commission hearing" 
• Nanaimo Daily News; September 1, 2010; "Sockeye return is 'perfect miracle' - Judicial inquiry is needed to help examine the issues affecting Pacific salmon says anti-fish farm activist" 
• Campbell River Mirror; August 26, 2010; "Sockeye salmon inquiry has its plate full" 
• Comox Valley Record: August 26, 2010; "Salmon theories abound, but not many answers"