Open Death Pit Found
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Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 17:47:12
Subject: Fish Farm Kills Sea Lions in Clayoquot Sound
From: "FOCS" To: "members" , "Allies"
April 22, 2000 For Immediate Release
Sea Lion Slaughter Undermines Biosphere Reserve
Permitted Massacre of Sea Lions Demonstrates Lack of Regulations and Standards for Open Sea Cage Operations
(Tofino) The recent discovery of a mass grave of Sea Lions shot recently in the Tofino area shows a blatant disrespect for the recent declaration of Clayoquot Sound as an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Sea Lions are confirmed to have been executed by Creative Salmon fish farm operators under the management of Bill Vernon. The Sea Lions are currently being recorded by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and permits from the fish farm are being verified.
"The pride of a Biosphere Reserve takes a severe blow when the fish farming industry is permitted to slaughter great numbers of majestic Sea Lions within
its borders," says Edward May, fish farm campaigner for the Friends of Clayoquot Sound.
The responsible solution to the problems associated with open sea cage fish farms lies solely in moving them to on land closed loop systems with full sewage treatment. Only these on land systems will properly deter marine animals from threatening the farm stock. Other problems caused by open sea cage fish farms include risk of disease outbreak and transfer, risk of escaped Atlantic salmon overtaking wild Pacific salmon spawning grounds, and improper or no sewage treatment from the highly populated pens.
"Fish farm operators are legally permitted to kill Sea Lions because the farm operators claim they pose a risk to fish farm stock. Ironically the same attention is not given to Pacific salmon fishers or tourism operators whose industry is threatened by the fish farms," Edward May.
For more information call Edward May @ 250-725-4218
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
Box 489, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
(250) 725-4218 tel 725-2527 fax
email: focs@web.net
website: www.ancientrainforest.org
