My thoughts are; should not DFO be out there collecting samples and doing viral testing and other examinations as necessary. If not, one has to question what exactly the tax payers are getting for the Two Billion we give them annually.
Perhaps they should be contacted.
On the other hand we all know how hard DFO has worked not to find disease in Pacific Salmon that could cause political problems for the Feds. Perhaps it would be good idea to also call Morton.
The short answer is yes, Rockfish - they should.
The slightly longer answer that we all know - is that - although there are some good people tucked-away in DFO, I have not yet met an openly honest rep from the aquaculture or communications branch, yet.
AND all of them have bosses that take their orders from Harper's PMO, and the Deputy Minister down the line. The only more disfunctional federal organization in Canada is either the RCMP brass or CFIA.
In addition, money is tight. Why spend money you don't have in order to find a problem you don't want - esp. if your bosses will give you sh*t for it and hide your results?
Ask Molly whether or not she would again test Cultus Lake fish given the sh*t she and Kristi got from the DFO upper echelon.
CFIA is (if it is possible) even worse than DFO. They are so used to solely dealing with industry (as they call their "clients") - they have forgotten who they work for and seem to feel that all this being accountable to the public stuff is really getting in the way of protecting trade.
So, there are unfortunately few options left.
The two I would recommend would be Morton, and Miller as well. Morton is political, but well intended and has some support to offer. Miller is apolitical, and a very good scientist - but limited in what she can do and how far she can push. I would contact both. Maybe test the resident juvie herring, as well. Contacts below:
Miller-Saunders, Kristi
Head, Salmon Genetics
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Salmon Genetics
3190 Hammond Bay Road
Nanaimo, British Columbia
V9T 6N7
250-756-7155
Kristi.Miller@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Alexandra Morton C/O
Raincoat Research Society
Simoom Sound, BC
V0P 1S0
info@raincoastresearch.org
http://www.raincoastresearch.org/contact.htm
http://www.salmonaresacred.org/contact