eaglemaniac
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that Nog. She does seem quite pleased as we all should. These findings are not the type Harper and company can ignore.
eman
eman
Cohen Inquiry Live Feed
- Thread starter IronNoggin
- Start date
tincan
Well-Known Member
Here is a petition Alex Morton just started on facebook: http://www.change.org/petitions/pre...k&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=11533166
trendsetter
Active Member
how the hell are you 1/2 way through the 1,000 page report?? fast reader I supposeI'm still working through the comments here and will get into the report shortly but so far from what I've read and seen online in videos, etc it sounds like it is quite a scathing report in regard to DFO and fish farms. Justice's rarely use strong language so to hear Cohen say words like "troubling" and "regrettable" and "serious and irreversible" is about as harsh as it gets. Looking forward to getting into the guts of the report and reading more responses from people on here. If anyone finds any good relevant articles please post here for all to read. So once we digest this over the next couple days what are the next steps? How can we make sure this $26 million report doesn't just serve as a place-mat in Ottawa? I know Fin Donnely asked the Con's in a recent session if they would be willing to implement Cohen's recommendations but got a standard political reply along the lines of "we'll take it into consideration" blah blah. Anyways, overall a very good day for wild fish loving Canadians I would say. Let's parlay this into something meaningful.
Lol..yeah, I was halfway through the executive summary of the final recommendations that is! It will take me awhile to read the other 1000 pages if I ever get around to it.
This is the section I read http://www.cohencommission.ca/en/pdf/FinalReport/CohenCommissionFinalReport_Vol03_04.pdf#zoom=100
I highly recommend that everybody reads the above link. The 30 page summary is much easier to understand than a 1000 page report and covers every aspect.
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T
tofinofish
Guest
"17 - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans
should apply revised siting criteria to all
licensed salmon farm sites. Farms that no
longer comply with siting criteria should be
promptly removed or relocated to sites that
comply with current siting criteria."
If this is actually implemented, then most or all the farms in Clayoquot could be considered non-compliant. There is a lot of focus on the Discovery area (for obvious reasons) but I hope the recommended program will apply to the second highest density of farm sites on the coast as well...
should apply revised siting criteria to all
licensed salmon farm sites. Farms that no
longer comply with siting criteria should be
promptly removed or relocated to sites that
comply with current siting criteria."
If this is actually implemented, then most or all the farms in Clayoquot could be considered non-compliant. There is a lot of focus on the Discovery area (for obvious reasons) but I hope the recommended program will apply to the second highest density of farm sites on the coast as well...
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Last edited by a moderator:
Englishman
Well-Known Member
Sign up to demand no feed lot lease renewals
Alex would like us to sign a pettion demanding the BC Govt not renew salmon feed lot leases.
It is here:
http://www.change.org/NoSalmonFarmLeases
Alex would like us to sign a pettion demanding the BC Govt not renew salmon feed lot leases.
It is here:
http://www.change.org/NoSalmonFarmLeases
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
From Alex:
Hello
Justice Bruce Cohen just released his Final Report on his 3-year, $26 million commission into the 17-year decline of the Fraser Sockeye.
I want to share Cohen's incredibly strong wording within the confines of his mandate, which was specific to the Fraser sockeye. Clearly, however, Fraser sockeye are not different from other salmon in their vulernability to the array of farm salmon pathogens.
I will write more detail in my blog soon, but I wanted you to know the good news as soon as possible. The Cohen report includes:
I am actively researching exotic salmon viruses, but if these leases are renewed in the next few weeks, there will be little chance of the Cohen recommendations being acted on.
This report is the result of a massive amount of work, I especially thank my lawyers Lisa Glowacki and Greg McDade - they went the extra mile and beyond!
There is something you can do now. I have created a petition in honour of Cohen's work asking Permier Clark not to renew the salmon farm leases to the sea floor of BC.
If you step up and share it widely, there is a chance our children will have wild salmon in their lives, and honestly it looks like there are tough times ahead, they will need everything we can leave them.
www.change.org/NoSalmonFarmLeases
In celebration of hope and thanks to you Mr Cohen for seeing the difficult truths,
Alexandra Morton
Hello
Justice Bruce Cohen just released his Final Report on his 3-year, $26 million commission into the 17-year decline of the Fraser Sockeye.
I want to share Cohen's incredibly strong wording within the confines of his mandate, which was specific to the Fraser sockeye. Clearly, however, Fraser sockeye are not different from other salmon in their vulernability to the array of farm salmon pathogens.
I will write more detail in my blog soon, but I wanted you to know the good news as soon as possible. The Cohen report includes:
- Salmon farms have the potential to import exotic viruses and amplify endemic ones
- There should be an immediate freeze on farm salmon production on the Fraser sockeye migration route
- DFO should be relieved of their duty to promote salmon farms
- Mitigation into the impact of salmon farms on wild salmon should not be delayed and should be carried out in the absence of absolute certainty
- DFO must assess ALL research done on the impact of farm salmon on wild salmon and if found greater than minimal, the industry must be prohibited from operating on the Fraser sockeye migration route!
- Siting criteria has to be revised to include wild salmon migration routes.
I am actively researching exotic salmon viruses, but if these leases are renewed in the next few weeks, there will be little chance of the Cohen recommendations being acted on.
This report is the result of a massive amount of work, I especially thank my lawyers Lisa Glowacki and Greg McDade - they went the extra mile and beyond!
There is something you can do now. I have created a petition in honour of Cohen's work asking Permier Clark not to renew the salmon farm leases to the sea floor of BC.
If you step up and share it widely, there is a chance our children will have wild salmon in their lives, and honestly it looks like there are tough times ahead, they will need everything we can leave them.
www.change.org/NoSalmonFarmLeases
In celebration of hope and thanks to you Mr Cohen for seeing the difficult truths,
Alexandra Morton
Foxsea
Well-Known Member
Englishman:
Signed and forwarded to friends to sign. This petition has taken off!
http://www.change.org/NoSalmonFarmLeases
Anissa Reed on facebook says 2500 signatures in 15 hours!!!
Signed and forwarded to friends to sign. This petition has taken off!
http://www.change.org/NoSalmonFarmLeases
Anissa Reed on facebook says 2500 signatures in 15 hours!!!
Last edited by a moderator:
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
There was "no smoking gun". Of course not, the probability of any single "stressor" being the sole causal agent for the decline was and is infinitesimal. And Yes, the Report did indeed point at a myriad of factors that together most likely worked together in a cumulative effort to create the situation being studied.
Although Cohen did not "rank" these factors according to their level of threat potential, he did make some rather strong statements regarding aquaculture:
"In his three-volume report on the future of the sockeye fishery released Wednesday, Justice Bruce Cohen focuses 11 of his 75 recommendations on the province's salmon-farming industry, addressing issues like government management, the siting of open net-pen farms and the need for more research."
"While Cohen found there was no "smoking gun," no single event or stressor, responsible for the decline between 1992 and 2009, he found Fraser River sockeye faced a "likelihood of harm" from disease and pathogens on farms, especially in the Discovery Islands, located northeast of Campbell River, B.C., between Vancouver Island and the province's mainland."
And yes, he does indeed call for research to begin immediately to determine to what, if any extent the farms pose a problem. Something with which I strongly concur. However he follows by suggesting we follow the Precautionary Principle in this case (something many believe should have been adhered to well before the latest expansion was allowed to occur):
"In the Discovery Islands, the department should not issue any new open net-pen licences, cap production and limit the maximum duration of a licence to one year, starting immediately and at least until Sept. 30, 2020, said Cohen.
If the minister determines open net-pen farms pose more than a minimal risk to Fraser River sockeye, the farms should be ordered to cease operations, he said."
(Above quotes: http://www.globalnews.ca/report+into+decli...5508/story.html )
Which also ties in with his apparent perception that there is more than likely reason for concern here:
"I therefore conclude that the potential harm posed to Fraser River sockeye salmon from salmon farms is serious or irreversible"
All of that said, aquaculture was indeed but one of many factors the Report considers. And I strongly agree with a poster on another forum: "the findings are a damning indictment of the politicization of the DFO and the lack of adequate funding for it to carry out it's mandate" :
"It is "regrettable" that the government did not wait to see the conclusions of the inquiry before making changes to the federal Fisheries Act, Cohen told the media Wednesday.
"The amendments to the Fisheries Act cause me concern," ... "I find it difficult to avoid the conclusion that the legislative amendments in Bill C-38 lower the standard of protection for Fraser River sockeye salmon."
Contrary to his recommendations to protect salmon habitat, Cohen said the amendments contained in the Conservatives' omnibus budget legislation appear to expand the circumstances where fish habitat can be harmed.
"DFO's first priority must be the health of wild stocks," Cohen said repeatedly during a news conference."
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/canada/sal...5004/story.html
Fisheries and Oceans Canada should no longer be mandated to promote the industry and farmed salmon as a product but should act in accordance with its paramount regulatory objective of conserving wild fish
http://www.globalnews.ca/report+into+decli...5508/story.html
"Former B.C. Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cohen took aim at the federal government Wednesday in his much-anticipated report on the decline of Fraser River sockeye. He said he was “troubled” by recent amendments to the environmental process and the Fisheries Act by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government.
“Many experts have emphasized the importance of protecting fish habitat, promoting biodiversity and adopting ecosystem-based management practices,” said Cohen. “However, the recent amendments to the Fisheries Act appear to be taking (the Department of Fisheries and Oceans) in a very different direction.”
He also noted “concern” over staff cuts in DFO’s Pacific Region habitat management program. The Conservatives cut $79 million, or 5.8 per cent, from DFO’s total budget this year.
In particular, Cohen noted amendments to the Fisheries Act shift emphasis from fish and habitat protection to the protection of fisheries. That change lowers the standard of protection for Fraser River sockeye salmon, Cohen said.
Cohen called on the federal government to properly fund and implement DFO’s own 2005 wild salmon and 1986 habitat policies.
The wild salmon policy is meant to restore and maintain healthy and diverse salmon populations and their habitats “for the enjoyment of the people of Canada in perpetuity.” But Cohen said he has no confidence the policy will ever be implemented without dedicated funding.
Cohen also concluded DFO is not achieving its goal of a net gain in productive fish habitat, or of “no net loss” of habitat, under the 1986 habitat policy."
http://www.vancouversun.com/mobile/busines...7848/story.html
“You can’t have healthy wild fish if you don’t have healthy habitat.”
DFO’s first priority should be the health of the wild stocks and aquaculture should be removed from DFO’s mandate, Cohen recommended.
“When DFO has simultaneous mandates to conserve wild stocks and promote the salmon farming industry, there are circumstances when it finds itself in conflict of interest because of divided loyalties,” he said.
Changes in salmon management are needed and DFO needs to conduct more research as there is a lack of data, the report says.
http://www.timescolonist.com/Report+calls+...7997/story.html
Most who have witnessed DFO's particular form of salmon "management" will obviously agree with Cohen - He makes some rather damning points regarding DFO and the Harpo Government's apparent disregard for the former's mandate and function. And most will also likely concur in that Something MUST Be Done to rectify that situation. I fear however that those two entities are scrambling to pay little more than Lip Service to Cohen's findings, and that his ideal reflected in the below statement will be all but ignored...
“I urge the federal government, in the interests of conserving the iconic species of salmon, to heed my findings and to implement these recommendations,” Cohen said at a news conference. “If implementing the recommendations is delayed, the ongoing threats to the stocks will make remedial action all the more challenging when it does begin.”
http://www.vancouversun.com/mobile/busines...7848/story.html
The government did not commit to implementing any of the recommendations, and Kamp defended the Fisheries Act changes.
"What we think the amendments to the Fisheries Act ... did is allow us to focus on the protection of the fisheries that Canadians value — commercial, recreational and aboriginal fisheries."
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/canada/sal...5004/story.html
In closing this post, I suggest that Cohen is right: DFO NEEDS to be re-vamped, NEEDS to be adequately resourced, NEEDS a Dedicated Focus on Habitat and Science and that the Harpo government NEEDS to stop both reducing the level/competency of our Scientists, and muzzling them when their findings are counter to their own ongoing Agenda.
And while the aquaculture industry represents but one factor in the Report, I suggest Cohen's findings and concerns in this regard are well founded and should be adhered to: Precaution FIRST, Research second, and Reaction Swift should "the minister determine open net-pen farms pose more than a minimal risk to Fraser River sockeye".
Cheers,
Nog
Although Cohen did not "rank" these factors according to their level of threat potential, he did make some rather strong statements regarding aquaculture:
"In his three-volume report on the future of the sockeye fishery released Wednesday, Justice Bruce Cohen focuses 11 of his 75 recommendations on the province's salmon-farming industry, addressing issues like government management, the siting of open net-pen farms and the need for more research."
"While Cohen found there was no "smoking gun," no single event or stressor, responsible for the decline between 1992 and 2009, he found Fraser River sockeye faced a "likelihood of harm" from disease and pathogens on farms, especially in the Discovery Islands, located northeast of Campbell River, B.C., between Vancouver Island and the province's mainland."
And yes, he does indeed call for research to begin immediately to determine to what, if any extent the farms pose a problem. Something with which I strongly concur. However he follows by suggesting we follow the Precautionary Principle in this case (something many believe should have been adhered to well before the latest expansion was allowed to occur):
"In the Discovery Islands, the department should not issue any new open net-pen licences, cap production and limit the maximum duration of a licence to one year, starting immediately and at least until Sept. 30, 2020, said Cohen.
If the minister determines open net-pen farms pose more than a minimal risk to Fraser River sockeye, the farms should be ordered to cease operations, he said."
(Above quotes: http://www.globalnews.ca/report+into+decli...5508/story.html )
Which also ties in with his apparent perception that there is more than likely reason for concern here:
"I therefore conclude that the potential harm posed to Fraser River sockeye salmon from salmon farms is serious or irreversible"
All of that said, aquaculture was indeed but one of many factors the Report considers. And I strongly agree with a poster on another forum: "the findings are a damning indictment of the politicization of the DFO and the lack of adequate funding for it to carry out it's mandate" :
"It is "regrettable" that the government did not wait to see the conclusions of the inquiry before making changes to the federal Fisheries Act, Cohen told the media Wednesday.
"The amendments to the Fisheries Act cause me concern," ... "I find it difficult to avoid the conclusion that the legislative amendments in Bill C-38 lower the standard of protection for Fraser River sockeye salmon."
Contrary to his recommendations to protect salmon habitat, Cohen said the amendments contained in the Conservatives' omnibus budget legislation appear to expand the circumstances where fish habitat can be harmed.
"DFO's first priority must be the health of wild stocks," Cohen said repeatedly during a news conference."
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/canada/sal...5004/story.html
Fisheries and Oceans Canada should no longer be mandated to promote the industry and farmed salmon as a product but should act in accordance with its paramount regulatory objective of conserving wild fish
http://www.globalnews.ca/report+into+decli...5508/story.html
"Former B.C. Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cohen took aim at the federal government Wednesday in his much-anticipated report on the decline of Fraser River sockeye. He said he was “troubled” by recent amendments to the environmental process and the Fisheries Act by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government.
“Many experts have emphasized the importance of protecting fish habitat, promoting biodiversity and adopting ecosystem-based management practices,” said Cohen. “However, the recent amendments to the Fisheries Act appear to be taking (the Department of Fisheries and Oceans) in a very different direction.”
He also noted “concern” over staff cuts in DFO’s Pacific Region habitat management program. The Conservatives cut $79 million, or 5.8 per cent, from DFO’s total budget this year.
In particular, Cohen noted amendments to the Fisheries Act shift emphasis from fish and habitat protection to the protection of fisheries. That change lowers the standard of protection for Fraser River sockeye salmon, Cohen said.
Cohen called on the federal government to properly fund and implement DFO’s own 2005 wild salmon and 1986 habitat policies.
The wild salmon policy is meant to restore and maintain healthy and diverse salmon populations and their habitats “for the enjoyment of the people of Canada in perpetuity.” But Cohen said he has no confidence the policy will ever be implemented without dedicated funding.
Cohen also concluded DFO is not achieving its goal of a net gain in productive fish habitat, or of “no net loss” of habitat, under the 1986 habitat policy."
http://www.vancouversun.com/mobile/busines...7848/story.html
“You can’t have healthy wild fish if you don’t have healthy habitat.”
DFO’s first priority should be the health of the wild stocks and aquaculture should be removed from DFO’s mandate, Cohen recommended.
“When DFO has simultaneous mandates to conserve wild stocks and promote the salmon farming industry, there are circumstances when it finds itself in conflict of interest because of divided loyalties,” he said.
Changes in salmon management are needed and DFO needs to conduct more research as there is a lack of data, the report says.
http://www.timescolonist.com/Report+calls+...7997/story.html
Most who have witnessed DFO's particular form of salmon "management" will obviously agree with Cohen - He makes some rather damning points regarding DFO and the Harpo Government's apparent disregard for the former's mandate and function. And most will also likely concur in that Something MUST Be Done to rectify that situation. I fear however that those two entities are scrambling to pay little more than Lip Service to Cohen's findings, and that his ideal reflected in the below statement will be all but ignored...
“I urge the federal government, in the interests of conserving the iconic species of salmon, to heed my findings and to implement these recommendations,” Cohen said at a news conference. “If implementing the recommendations is delayed, the ongoing threats to the stocks will make remedial action all the more challenging when it does begin.”
http://www.vancouversun.com/mobile/busines...7848/story.html
The government did not commit to implementing any of the recommendations, and Kamp defended the Fisheries Act changes.
"What we think the amendments to the Fisheries Act ... did is allow us to focus on the protection of the fisheries that Canadians value — commercial, recreational and aboriginal fisheries."
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/canada/sal...5004/story.html
In closing this post, I suggest that Cohen is right: DFO NEEDS to be re-vamped, NEEDS to be adequately resourced, NEEDS a Dedicated Focus on Habitat and Science and that the Harpo government NEEDS to stop both reducing the level/competency of our Scientists, and muzzling them when their findings are counter to their own ongoing Agenda.
And while the aquaculture industry represents but one factor in the Report, I suggest Cohen's findings and concerns in this regard are well founded and should be adhered to: Precaution FIRST, Research second, and Reaction Swift should "the minister determine open net-pen farms pose more than a minimal risk to Fraser River sockeye".
Cheers,
Nog
tincan
Well-Known Member
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/video-audio/index.html
live stream discussing the Cohen commission on AM 690 NOW!
live stream discussing the Cohen commission on AM 690 NOW!
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
For those who didn't get the chance to see the Press Conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt49I2fadhg&feature=youtu.be
sammyslabber
Active Member
http://www.change.org/petitions/pre...k&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=11533166
petition;sighned,sealed now fill them up for delivery...
Just think, Salmon Farm on-land containment.. along with oil pipelines another new election platform for Christy Clark's re-election
petition;sighned,sealed now fill them up for delivery...
Just think, Salmon Farm on-land containment.. along with oil pipelines another new election platform for Christy Clark's re-election
tincan
Well-Known Member
Here is a link to the Wild Salmon Policy that was developed in 2005 but has yet to be implemented. Cohen suggested the implementation of this policy should be a high priority for DFO.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/salmon-saumon/wsp-pss/index-eng.htm
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/salmon-saumon/wsp-pss/index-eng.htm
eaglemaniac
Well-Known Member
The silence is certainly deafening for sure. I was at least hoping for a response from Christy.
eman
eman
tincan
Well-Known Member
It appears the response from the Feds to the Cohen Report is similar to most other matters pertaining to the environment where a strong body of evidence contradicts their ideology:
1) Deny the science exists/is legit/is a consensus
2) Issue a vague statement saying how concerned you are about the situation
3) Say you will be using all available sources of information in making policy decisions going forward
4) Act in near direct opposition to what science is telling us
1) Deny the science exists/is legit/is a consensus
2) Issue a vague statement saying how concerned you are about the situation
3) Say you will be using all available sources of information in making policy decisions going forward
4) Act in near direct opposition to what science is telling us
Two for sure ... BC Liberals agreed to not allow expansion of salmon farms in the Discovery Island area and DFO (Miller and others)) is teaming up with NGO’s (Riddell and universities) to further research into both farmed and wild salmon diseases.
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