Salmon farming must change; we have a lot to lose

[HuckleB]

Salmon farming must change; we have a lot to lose

The escape of Atlantic salmon into Northwest waters could cripple the region's iconic wild fish

12/07/03
GREG HIGGINS

H ere in the Pacific Northwest we revere our salmon as the icon of our grand landscape and heritage. It's impossible to separate these great fish from our culture.

Now the rapid growth of the salmon-farming industry during the past two decades poses significant threats to the health of our cherished wild salmon. Farm-raised salmon have flooded markets with inexpensive fish available fresh year 'round. While these fish supply us with a steady source of high Omega-3 protein, what's the real price of this glut of industrial salmon?

Norway's ecological plight and struggle, well reported by Michael Milstein in The Oregonian last Sunday, illustrates the potential problems: Disease. Pollution. Escaped farm fish.

Our situation could be worse because we're dealing with Atlantic salmon escapism here, a nonnative species. Once in the wild these fattened-up fish breed and compete against stressed wild Pacific populations for food and spawning grounds.

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For the whole piece, go to: http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1070715561178490.xml