OPINION: Take science skeptics with a grain of salt, says B.C. fish doctor

Republished from The Hill Times. Read the original article here.

CONTRIBUTED TO THE HILL TIMES BY: GARY D. MARTY, SENIOR FISH PATHOLOGY CONSULTANT, ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

Published: June 5, 2024

Republished from The Hill Times. Read the original article here.

Re: “Will Canada gamble Pacific salmon on DFO Science?” (The Hill Times, May 27) 

Regarding the question about marine net-pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia, Tony Allard recommends, “our elected officials should treat the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s advice with skepticism and caution.” 

Based on my 20 years of experience as a board-certified veterinary pathologist diagnosing fish diseases in British Columbia, I agree that advice related to major decisions should be treated with skepticism and caution. Indeed, Allard's opinions should be treated with skepticism and caution. 

Allard melodramatically describes how “endangered wild Pacific salmon migrate through plumes of pathogens and parasites that enter the water from industrial feedlots of Atlantic salmon.” And yet, among the B.C.-farmed Atlantic salmon exposed 24/7 to these "plumes of pathogens and parasites,” only about three per cent die each year from infectious disease. In contrast, migrating wild Fraser River sockeye salmon in B.C. are exposed to salmon farms only a few hours during their entire lives. 

Despite the potential of salmon farm threats- known and unknown-average annual adult returns of Fraser River sockeye salmon did not decline from the years before salmon farming began (6.8 million fish per year, from 1962-1989) to the years when salmon farms were active (eight million per year, from 1990-2022). 

In relation to salmon farms, Allard cites "a bibliography of 59 independent peer-reviewed papers confirming the harm they caused." However, many of these scientific papers support the conclusion of minimal harm, e.g., "In general, our data suggest that [infectious] agent distributions may not have substantially changed because of the salmon aquaculture industry.” 

Finally, Allard accuses DFO of relying on "rigged ‘science’” to claim that the virus “PRV doesn't cause harm to wild fish.” Rigged or not, DFO's conclusion of minim al risk is essentially identical to independent assessment by American fish health professionals that Piscine orthoreovirus is low risk to Pacific salmon (source: Pacific Northwest Fish Health Protection Committee). 

All animal populations must deal with infectious disease. Medical science guides people to manage infectious disease and protect human populations. Likewise, fisheries and veterinary sciences provide strong evidence that salmon farm diseases have no more than minimal effect on wild salmon populations.

Gary D. Marty

Senior fish pathology consultant

Abbotsford, B.C.

Canadian Exports of Farm-raised Atlantic Salmon: A Tale of Two Coasts

April was a good month for Canadian farm-raised seafood exports to the US, with sales jumping 21% in volume terms (+17% in value) over March levels; however, this boost still leaves Canadian exports down 27% year-to-date (Jan-April) over the same period last year.  Atlantic salmon (fresh, whole fish) is the largest product category for the sector, historically accounting for almost 80% of aquaculture exports. The US trade data reports a jump in imports of Canadian farm-raised salmon, up almost 25% over March levels, while year-to-date (Jan-April) remains 32% lower than import volumes over the same period last year. Canada’s primary export product is fresh farmed whole fish, which accounted for 90% of Canadian Atlantic salmon exports to the US last year.

In the first four month of 2023, there has been strong growth in US exports through Portland ME (+17%) and Detroit (+29%)%) however Canadian exports through Seattle have plummeted 65% so far this year.

To better understand the trade profile, and the strength in US sales of Canadian-grown Atlantic salmon, it is helpful to look at the data by port-of entry. Canadian exports of Atlantic salmon enter the US through three ports of entry: Seattle WA (~60%, historically), Portland ME (~35%) and Detroit MI (~5%). In the first four month of 2023, there has been strong growth in US exports through Portland ME (+17%) and Detroit (+29%); Canadian exports through Seattle have plummeted 65% so far this year. This is the lowest volume of exports of Atlantic salmon from the West Coast since the late 1990’s. Up until last year, Atlantic salmon was British Columbia’s top agri-food export product and the tenth largest export category overall. It now does not make the list of top 25.   

Please visit our website to see CAIA’s trade flash dashboard where you can view more details on Canada’s exports to the US by specific farmed product.

First Quarter Soft for US Imports of Seafood

The US trade data released last week show the US imported $2.1 billion of seafood products in March, a healthy 12% boost in imports in nominal terms (m/m). However, import volumes and values in the first quarter of 2023 are significantly weaker than last year, down 18% in value terms and 10% by volume.

Driving the weakness were sharp drops in imported shrimp and crab, the latter of which Canada is a major supplier to the US market. Meanwhile, US demand for Atlantic salmon remains extremely robust, and strong growth in the fresh fillet and frozen fillet segments (7.3% and 25.9% respectively) more than offsetting weakness in whole fish (-2.6%).

In 2022, Canada was the largest exporter of seafood to the US ($US 4.1 billion) followed by Chile ($US 3.4 billion) and India ($US 3.0 billion). In the first three months of 2023, Canada’s seafood sales to the US have fallen 6.9% pushing Canada into second place, behind Chile which has seen its share of the US seafood market jump 7.7%. The other notable gainers are Norway which has grown 17% in the first three months of the year. Both Chile and Norway are gaining US market share in the lucrative Atlantic salmon segment. Strong sales of Atlantic salmon into the US market is what is supporting growth in Chile and Norwegian export performance.

Looking at Canada trade performance, overall seafood sales to the US dropped 6.9% in Q1. Of the top Canadian seafood products exported to the US, three are farm-raised: Atlantic salmon fillets, Atlantic salmon whole fish and oysters. All three of these segments posted declines in the first quarter of the year with very sharp drops in Atlantic salmon (whole fish), down 40% over last year and fillets down 50%. These sharp drops in sales are due to the closure of farms in BC’s Discovery Islands, with production declines now taking effect.

U.S. Aquaculture Trade Flash - January 2023

US Imports of Atlantic Salmon Strong while Canadian Exports Plummet

US trade data released this week shows continued strong demand for Atlantic Salmon, the high-protein fish that is a favourite with U.S. consumers. US imports in January rose 7.5% in volume terms, reaching over 36 million kgs (US$ 472 million). 

Atlantic salmon: Fillets and Whole Fish- shares and Canada

Canada is the third largest exporter of Atlantic salmon, a segment that includes whole fish, fillets and meat. The table to the right, shows the value of each Atlantic salmon product category imported by the US in 2022. Fresh farmed fillets account for just over half of all US imports of Atlantic salmon, frozen fillets and whole fish (fresh, farmed) follow with approximately 25% each.

Canada’s primary export product is fresh farmed whole fish, which accounted for 90% of Canadian Atlantic salmon exports to the US last year.

Canada’s exports of farm-raised whole Atlantic Salmon (whole fish) continue to plummet

The US imported over US$ 1.2 billion of fresh farmed Atlantic salmon (whole fish) in 2022. Canada is the top exporter to the US in this segment and has historically accounted for over half of the US imports. Proximity to the massive U.S. market and reputation for product quality are huge competitive advantages enjoyed by Canada, which also has a positive carbon advantage because of shorter distances to market. However, dramatic production cuts, related to the closure of farms in BC’s Discovery Islands has translated into falling exports to the US which are continuing (and worsening) heading into the new year. In January, Canadian exports of farm-raised Atlantic salmon (whole fish) fell 47% from last year’s levels and were down 35% from December’s already-low sales (volume). With the sharp drop in US sales, Canada’s market share has dipped to 30% heading into the new year, with huge gains going to exporters in Norway, Chile and the UK.  

Please visit trade flash dashboard where you can view more details on Canada’s exports to the US by specific farmed product.

Monthly Trade Data ~ December 2022

Canadian sales of fresh farmed oysters to the US surge in 2022

US trade data released last week show strong demand for fresh, farm-raised oysters in 2022. With the December sales data in, the full year data show that US imports jumped 26% in real terms from the previous year- and Canada saw a huge part of the gains. Overall, Canadian shipments to our Southern neighbour soared 56% in volume terms reaching an all- time high of 5, 447 Tonnes, or $US 57.6 million.

Download US Imports Trade Flash - December 2022 (XLS @ 11KB): Explore data for various farmed seafood imports into the US.

There are several oyster products imported into the US- including fresh, canned, frozen and dried. The most popular- by far – is fresh, farmed oysters, which accounted for almost half of all oyster product imports in 2022 (followed in distant second by smoked canned oysters at 24%). Canadian producers are the top exporters globally to the US, with market share for this segment at 66% of volume shipments- and an even higher share of 81% in value terms; Mexico accounts for the balance, taking about 18% of US sales in 2022. Proximity to the massive US market and reputation for quality are huge competitive advantages for Canada.

Fresh, farm-raised Oysters are a significant and growing share of the aquaculture sector’s production and accounted for 10% of the sector (by volume) in 2021. Significant growth potential has been identified for both BC and Atlantic Canada.

OPINION: In defence of Canada’s peer-reviewed science advisory process on salmon farming

Republished from The Globe and Mail. Read the original article here.

Contributed to the Globe and Mail by: TONY FARRELL, TILLMANN J. BENFEY, MARK FAST, KURT GAMPERL, IAN GARDNER, JIM POWELL, CRAWFORD REVIE, SPENCER RUSSELL AND AHMED SIAH

Published: May 27, 2022

Farmed-salmon aquaculture also has a low carbon footprint. This is partially because salmon are neutrally buoyant in water, needing less energy to survive, and the carbon dioxide they produce stays dissolved in seawater. The nutritious aspect of farmed salmon is, in part, a result of farmers looking after fish welfare and ensure the salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Canadians need a reliable, sustainable and secure food system. All food production in Canada is regulated for safety, environmental impact and quality. This includes the rigorous regulatory oversight given to farmed salmon, which is also subject to passionate advocacy on both sides. In this context, responsible political decision making and a legal system to oversee fairness are crucial.

But providing reliable scientific advice to our elected leaders about environmental and food science issues can be a challenge because they are not trained in these areas. The Cohen Commission, for example, examined in great detail the science concerning the risk that salmon aquaculture posed to wild Fraser River sockeye. Specific recommendations were made to DFO, some of which triggered three separate CSAS reports on the risk to the sockeye just from bacteria and virus transfer from salmon farms in B.C.

CSAS co-ordinates for DFO the routine production of peer-reviewed science advice, which can be given to our political leaders to support evidence-based decision making. A CSAS report typically takes over a year to assemble, after a group of world-leading experts begin their work, present and evaluate all relevant literature, especially peer-reviewed science. Their report is first vetted by an external peer-review, which may recommend improvements to the report.

All-in-all, the CSAS reports with which we participated did an excellent job of assembling and evaluating all the relevant scientific facts as a current state-of-affairs of the topics we studied.

First, the Fishing-Related Incidental Mortality for Pacific Salmon report of 2016 assigned salmon mortality percentages to those fish that encounter fishing gear (for example, hooks and nets) but are not actually caught, an alarmingly high number in some instances.

Second, the 2008 Closed Containment Salmon Aquaculture report of 2008 noted a major concern with the need for a high electrical usage in production, a problem that is still not fully resolved today.

Third, the 2019 report on Piscine orthoreovirus heard about experiments that deliberately injected the virus into sockeye salmon to infect them. The infected salmon’s ability to take up oxygen, to exercise and to withstand hypoxic water was not significantly harmed.

Consensus opinions were reported in the CSAS reports. While scientific facts are invariant, opinions on these facts can understandably differ. Dissenting voices are also noted in the process. So, should Canadians trust the CSAS process and their reports? Having collectively participated in many CSAS reports, our answer is: Yes, we should.

While the CSAS process is about as good as it gets when it comes to assembling available experts and facts, strengthening the process is always possible and its rigid format could be improved upon. In fact, the 2018 report from the Independent Expert Panel on Aquaculture Science chaired by Canada’s Chief Science Advisor recommended improvements to the flow of scientific information to communities and the involvement of international experts. The CSAS framework has made how expert opinion is obtained and incorporated into the reports more transparent.

Consequently, ministers charged with making decisions on the future of salmon aquaculture should trust the scientific facts that were presented in the recent CSAS reports concerning an industrial food sector that offers Canadian food security, and that is increasingly being adopted by First Nations along B.C.’s enormous coastline. The CSAS process does not selectively ignore some of the available science, as a form of bias – which may not be true for other expressed opinions being presented to the fisheries standing committee.

Tony Farrell is a professor and Canada Research Chair for fish physiology, culture and conservation at the University of British Columbia.

Tillmann J. Benfey is a professor of biology and director of animal care at the University of New Brunswick.

Mark Fast is a professor and chair of the department of pathology and microbiology at the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Kurt Gamperl is a professor and associate director of the Department of Ocean Sciences at the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Ian Gardner is professor emeritus at the University of Prince Edward Island and the University of California, Davis.

Jim Powell is managing director of Fidelis Aquaculture Management Ltd.

Crawford Revie is a professor of epidemiology at the University of Prince Edward Island and chair of data analytics.

Spencer Russell is an associate professor at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Vancouver Island University.

Ahmed Siah is managing director at the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences.

Leading Sustainable Innovation: Re-cap from the Farmed Seafood Policy Conference

Guest post by: Jenny Weitzman, Dalhousie University

Another great Farmed Seafood Policy conference at the Westin in Ottawa (Nov 21 and 22).

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) hosted its annual conference, attracting a range of exciting and innovating partners from across Canada’s farmed seafood supply chain and policy actors. This year’s theme, ‘Oceans of Opportunity’ featured a diverse lineup of expert speakers presenting across a number of themes about the demand for seafood, the opportunities for Canada’s industry, and Canada’s role in global leadership, research and innovation, and sustainable development of aquaculture.

Among the range of topics presented, speakers sparked interest and excitement about the diversity of research and innovation within Canada and across the world.

Opening keynote speaker Amy Norogratz from Aqua-Spark highlighted some of the numerous research and innovations in technology and science. Aqua-Spark is the only aquaculture-dedicated investment funds committed to sustainable aquaculture innovation and research. Only 6 years since its inception Aqua-Spark has invested in 60-80 companies across the value chain, across species and geographies around the world. In the realm of aqua feeds, they have invested in companies researching alternative protein sources. For example, these include companies such as Calysta, who is using microbes that feed off methane, and Protix, who is using insects such as black solider flies. For disease, they have invested in companies such as Proteon Pharmaceuticals which are researching how to use new strains of phages to combat fish infection. They also are investing in a number of companies creating innovations in farm operations such as Sogn Aqua who are growing halibut on land in Norway using advanced patented water recirculation technologies.

Panelists discuss Canada’s role in seafood farming Innovation. From left: David McInnes, DMci Strategies (moderator),  Bjørn Apeland, Steinsvik Canada; Marvyn Budd, Planet Shrimp Inc.; and Ian Carr, Cargill Aqua Nutrition.

Next, Bjorn Apeland, chief executive officer from the Steinsvik Group presented a first look into the potential vision and future for aquaculture innovation in equipment, machinery and facilities. For over 60 years, Steinsvik has been producing innovative products in remote sensing, cameras, feeding systems, and monitoring software, among others, to improve the efficiency, health, and sustainability of fish farming systems. At the conference, we were fortunate to become immersed in a video presenting a potential future of aquaculture through automation, surveillance, data monitoring, etc… This video highlights their vision of how innovation can lead the industry, and highlights many of the current technologies that are even today being researched and undertaken today.

Continuing with the theme of advanced technologies, Marvyn Budd of Planet Shrimp introduced us to his innovative company using the state-of-the-art technologies to culture fresh Ontario-grown indoor shrimp. This closed containment system controls almost every aspect of the species’ health, bringing the production of a local, antibiotic-free, environmentally-friendly shrimp product to Canadians.

Finally, we heard from Cargill’s Ian Carr, who spoke to us about the advances in aquafeeds. Cargill is a major aqua feed company using new and different raw materials. They have major investments in state-of-the art research facilities to create innovations in health, including recovery and immunity features of feeds. Their goals are to reduce the footprint of aqua feeds and better recycle wastes during the process.

These new and exciting technologies, research, and innovations continued to spark intrigue and excitement the rest of the day. These speakers, among the many presenters that followed throughout the day highlight the current opportunities already ongoing within Canada and throughout the world for the future of sustainable aquaculture.