Wild Salmon Extinction Linked to Farmed Salmons - Book Report/Review Example

?Wild salmon extinction linked to farmed salmons Farmed salmons have been suspected in some studies to be the reason for extinction of wild salmons in the lake. In some arguments, this is rightly so as reports show valid arguments to back up this statement. However, this paper believes otherwise and presents evidences that rejects the assumptions, and say that farmed salmons should not be linked to the extinction of wild salmon.. This paper presents scientific researches that would validate assertions and state that there are other variables that should be considered in this respect. In presenting evidences, available researches and literatures are reviewed to show that climate change and man-made activities are the variables that are needed to be investigated in order to pursue its control. Literature Review Wild Salmon extinction linked to fish farms Initial conditions of extinction of salmon population are known, but it is assumed that fish farms are not to blame. Literature reviews assumes the extinction of salmon population are known facts. Conservationists’ alleged extinction of wild salmon is linked to fish farms and these allegations are at odds with opinions of the scientific community. But in this study, assumed conditions linking wild salmon extinction to fish farms are argued to be unreasonable. The objective of this study is to find valid evidences to prove that farmed salmons are not a threat to the wild salmons and there are reasons beyond fish farming. This objective is developed at a time that there are controversies linking the method of farm salmons to the extinction of wild salmons. The study will take advantage on the sets of data and studies available on this subject. As a foreword explanation, evidences from history of trout does not show link to farm fish but rather points to human activities and natural phenomenon as crucial to salmon extinction. As it would show, the north eastern part of North America, the southern part of Georgia in Appalachian Mountains, up to as far as the arctic Canada have experienced massive extinction of Brook Trouts, particularly in the years 1700s up to 1800s (Brook Trout Natural History). Recent estimates from the North Atlantic Salmon Organization puts the wild salmon population worldwide to 3.5 million and down to 80,000 in North American rivers (CBC News online, 2004). Without proper help from the government, Darling (2008) said steelhead, salmon and trouts will be gone within a century. Facing dangerous extinction are redband trout on McCloud river, coho and spring chinhook salmon on Klamath River, and winter, spring and late-fall run Chinook, as well as the Central Valley steelhead, on the Sacramento rivers. This extinction was mainly due to clearing of land for lumber and agriculture, water pollution, overfishing and urban development. Discussions In order to better understand the issue, salmon farming is illustrated and described in this study. Salmon farming is a type of aquaculture where the fish are grown in net cages, typically located in sheltered bays and fjords along the coast. Salmon are hatched in brood hatcheries and grown in freshwater until they are large enough to transfer to marine pens. The majority of salmon farms in British Columbia grow Atlantic salmon because they grow well in farm conditions. Because salmon farm cages are simply suspended in the water and no barrier exists between the farm and the surrounding environment, they are often referred to as “open net-cages.” Source: Watershed Watch Salmon Society See photos of salmon farming at annex. According to the Watershed Watch Salmon Society , a salmon farm has an area size of four football fields and can hold as much as 500,000 to 750,000 fish. This volume of fish can produce a biomass of 2,400 tons which is equated to 480 Indian bull elephants. The British Columbia is reported to have 137 salmon farms operating, 84 in Eastern Vancouver Island and Mainland Coast, 48 on Western Vancouver Island and 6 on the Central Coast. This Society said that the federal government has plans to double farmed salmon production within the next 10 years. The existence of farmed salmons in the area has caused a lot of debate and criticism on the part of the government that supports aquaculture. The introduction of fish in the lakes drew various reactions from study groups arguing on its effectiveness. Some scientists blamed aquaculture saying that disease such as sea lice that eats fish alive, could easily spread from pens to the wild salmon population (CBC News). US Forest Service (2009) argues that introduced trouts are harmful because it affects growth of aquatic insects. Bora (2010) supports this theory by saying that farmed salmons can contract bacteria such as fungal and viral diseases, in which farmers have to use medicines, vaccines and antibiotics to control the disease. A lot of concern has been placed in the flowing of these medicines into the sea water and the spread of disease into the ecosystem. Likewise, there are also apprehensions that the escaped salmons reaching nearby rivers and breeding with wild salmons lead to food imbalances. Weatherby (2008) reported 30,000 farmed salmon escapees in Vancouver Canada that is feared to feast on young salmon and compete with food of wild salmons. Farmed bred salmons are said to be voracious eaters that could easily crowd out the food for wild salmons. Escape, according to the report, is due to underwater pen collapse of a commercial producer of farmed fish. This incident aroused calls from conservationists to end ocean fish farming in British Columbia. What seems to be the most immediate solution to escaped salmons from farmed shores is the viability of a closed containment, as suggested by biologists (Weatherby). However, this matter is still under consideration by the government because of huge costs that it would entail. Canada.com refers to a study that blames fish farms to wild salmon extinctions because of deadly sea lice that threatens to wipe out entire population of wild pacific salmon. The study referred to, looked at the 37 years Fisheries and Oceans data for 71 central coast rivers and found “that wild fish can survive commercial fishing but could not live with fish farms. It was pointed out by this source of information that the pink salmons that live in the British Coast is facing extinction because of the cluster of salmon farms that create lethal infestation of sea lice in the area (Canada.com) In a subsequent study report, the conclusion found in Canada.com is not supported by the proceedings of a paper of National Academy of Sciences saying that sea lice coming from the farmed salmons in the pens is not the cause of wild salmon population decline that migrate past the fish farms. Scientists from the University of California, Davis, the British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences and the University of Alaska used 20 years of data to prove that wild salmon productivity are not associated with the number of sea lice on farmed salmons. They concluded that there is “lack of evidence for a significant negative relationship between farm fish and pink salmon productivity, the data do not support hypothesis that separating farm fish from wild fish will increase pink salmon marine survival. Determination of the cause(s) of salmon population requires investigation of other variables”. There is insinuation in the study that say opposition is spawned by the moneyed interests of wild salmon producers only. (Weise, 2010) The calls from conservationists seem to be improbable as there are also studies showing beneficial effects of farmed fishing. The idea of farmed salmon as harmful is contradicted by another study done by Dr. Gozlan as he referred to result of his research saying that the introduced non-native trouts is not harmful to aquatic insects, i.e. zebra mussels (Univ. of Bournemouth, 2008). He disputed claim of harmful effects and said that there will be more benefits in the program since inevitably environmental changes will affect native freshwater fish. He argues further that the introduced fish will replace the loss of wild salmon. Indeed, farmed salmons have changed the shape of the industry and its introduction created an imbalance of supply with native ones; thus it has become a competition for production. Worldwide Fund report (March 2007) showed explosive growth changes in farmed salmon industry from 2% in 1980 to 60% in 2004. Comparing this with native salmons, Worldwide Fund reports a decline in catches that showed a plummet of sales from $800 million in 1980s to less than $300 million today. The slowdown of catches implies a wild range of economic and social effects to the fishing community that depends on the industry for livelihood leading to spiraling problems. Studies on the salmon production proved that the industry generate many jobs and economic benefits. For instance, Colorado Trout Unlimited study showed that the economic output of salmon in Southeast Alaska is nearly $1 billion coming from revenues from recreational sports and food (Robert, 2011). It has given 7,000 employments to people in Southeast Alaska which is about 11 percent of the region’s employment, and is much larger than the 2 percent jobs given by the timber industry. Thai Indian News (2010) reported the contribution of salmon fishing that amounts to 90 million pounds annually in Wales alone. As suggested in the research, there are other variables that would most likely affect wild salmon’s extinction such as parasites, climate change and human activities. Whereas before, a healthy population of wild salmon existed in 450 rivers, now, National History of Trout (2009) study showed 80% of this population has been lost and its remaining population is threatened by hydropower developments, acid rain, parasites and other pollutants. A parasite is a case that could be linked to wild salmon extinction. An example of a parasite is the sea lamprey that is believed to be the cause of decline of lake trouts between 1940s to 1950s (USGS). Sea Lamprey is an aggressive parasite that sticks to its prey (fish), remains stuck until the prey dies. The lake trouts are the favorite hosts of sea lampreys. During its life as a parasite that averages between 18 to 20 months, and a larvae that lives between 3 to 17 years, each sea lamprey can kill 40 or more pounds of fish. An illustration of sea lamprey attacks is attached as annex. As shown in the attached chart, trout had a healthy population in 1930s, but started a massive decline when lamprey entered the lake in 1940. Wild trout almost lost its population in Lake Superior in 1960s to 1970s. The stream treatment that started in 1960s had slowly controlled the parasites but not totally (USGS). A natural phenomenon that could be argued to cause salmon extinction is climate change. There is compelling evidence of climate change that shows rises of sea level, global temperature, warming of oceans and shrinking of ice sheets. NASA said the rate of rise of global sea level has nearly doubled that of the last century, and has risen to about 6.7 inches. Global temperature has warmed since 1880 with most of warming occurring in 1970 and still continues today. This warming has been absorbed by the oceans, that in latest NASA study , the top 700 meters (about 2,300 feet) of ocean show warming of 0.302 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969. The scientific consensus of climate is affected by human activities…”Human activities… are modifying the concentration of atmospheric constituents…that absorb or scatter radiant energy….[M]ost of the observed warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations” Oreskes (2004) The study of NRDC and Defenders of Wildlife, stated global warming could reduce the population of trout and salmon by as much as 18 to 38 percent of their current habitat by the year 2090. Findings of same study also showed habitat loss for individual species of salmon and trout by as high as 17 percent by 2030, 34 percent by 2060 and 42 percent by 2090 if emissions of heat trapping pollution such as carbon dioxide are not reduced (NRDC) National Wildlife Federation study said that the optimum water temperature for most salmonoids range from 55 – 64 degrees Fahrenheit. NWF study further provides that warmer summers have raised stream temperatures that make salmon susceptible to predators, disease and parasites. Further, study showed massive fish kills is linked to warm temperature that was registered at 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). A recent study of Dept. of Ecology, State of Washington indicates that climate change shapes the ecosystem and environment. Since many factors are tied up to the climate, a change will affect how and where people, plants and animal live. It also spells the difference in food production as in the case of salmon and trouts, the spawning of fish is affected. As to vulnerability, Colorado Trout Unlimited (2007) said that salmon and trout are among the fish population that is helpless to climate change because of its dependence to cold and clean water. Hatch (2007) cited survey of scientific studies showing that about 60% of Western salmon population could disappear because as water warms, bugs disappear and droughts become prevalent. Further, Hatch said the non-native fish such as rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout cutthroat trout and brown trout introduced in the lake increases the risk of hybridization and predation. By example, article pointed to the different reproduction times for trouts during the year, and the chance of hybridization is not an isolated case. Along with the studies of these authors on climate change, some specific impacts emerged as problems: A lessened salmon and trout population because of warmer temperature caused by more rainfall than snow, reversed timing of the stream flow because of diminished snowpack and a rise of water temperature. Reacting to climate change, some articles showed programs of organizations that aim to solve the situation. Planting of trees and shrubs along the river banks, identifying of barriers that clog river streams, monitoring of fish population changes, restoring of dams, streamside areas and flood plains are just some of the solutions found in several studies (Gonzales, CTU, ESA). Trees are respondent for air people breath and produces about 700 to 7000 carbons over its lifetime, Gonzales said, while even a small amount of shoreline vegetation will already increase fish habitation (ESA). Other suggestions include placing of logs and boulders in the stream to provide sections with cooler and deeper water; and to reconnect low elevation waterways to the upper-elevation streams that are inhabited by native trouts (Hatch). Suggestions like these come into review and assessed for implementation by the British Columbia wherein they professed that they are relatively new in salmon aquaculture program (British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office). Development activities are another cause of wild salmon extinction and are not linked with farmed salmons. Whereas before, a healthy population of wild salmon existed in 450 rivers, now, National History of Trout (2009) study showed 80% of this population has been lost and its remaining population is threatened by hydropower developments, acid rain, parasites and other pollutants. . A study on the effects of urbanization to algae, aquatic insects, fish, habitat and chemistry in urban streams in nine metropolitan areas across the country is found in USGS research. Substantial findings of the study showed detrimental effect of storm waters transported from urban surfaces to streams during storms, causing rise and fall of temperature; and polluting the streams with storm water coming from parks, lawns, and golf areas that could be contaminated with chemicals, fertilizers and insecticides. The findings led to the prioritized plan of stream protection and management of the U.S. government particularly of having green water infrastructure to control storm water runoff to protect aquatic life in the future urban development. As stated earlier, human activities could be fairly cited as one reason for wild salmon decline. As it is, there are already a number of legislations meant to protect the salmon populations. But as report of wild salmon decline continues, the implication shows that the existing regulations are not sufficient. Failure to address the problem is shown to be due to the complexity and difficulty in addressing ecosystems, lack of enforceability, coordination, comprehensiveness, resources for implementation, data and scientific information, and public support. A list of enacted laws is attached as an appendix. Conclusion What is gathered from the researches reviewed rebuffs the assumption that fish farms are responsible for wild salmon extinction. It has been cleared that there are hosts of variables that have combined effect to the reduction of wild salmons in the lakes and these are man-made reasons that could be controlled. Parasites such as sea lamprey were already in existence long before farmed salmons are introduced. Climate change has proven to be disastrous to wild salmons as this lead to warm water temperature that is not adapted in the wild salmon culture. Man made activities such as clearing; pollution, deforestation and urban development are contributory to climate change that physically harmed fish habitation. Besides, farmed salmons have made its contribution to the economy that fuels economic recovery because of its commercial value. This research therefore concludes farmed salmon methods are not adversary to wild salmon population. Suggestions for further investigations of variables mentioned in the study are recommended in order to arrive at legislations that could fully protect the salmon industry. Appendix 1. Incidence of lamprey attacks on wild lake trouts Source: USGS Source: Watershed Watch Salmon Society http://www.watershed-watch.org Appendix 2 . Following are some examples of current laws which affect salmon:   Laws dealing with land and water use and development — State: Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act, Floodplain Management Act, Forest Practices Act, Water Pollution Control Act, Hydraulic Project Approval, Aquatic Lands Act, Water Code and Water Resources Act; Federal: National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Federal Reclamation Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Food Security Act, Federal Power Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and many more. Laws pertinent to fish and wildlife protection — In addition to some of the above, such as State Environmental Policy Act and Hydraulic Project Approval: the federal Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, The Northwest Power Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act, The Endangered Species Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act . Recently enacted legislation — three acts passed in the last year was designed specifically to improve conditions for salmon recovery. These key pieces of legislation recognized the need for comprehensive, scientifically-based, coordinated, collaborative, incentive-based and locally-implemented solutions: Salmon Recovery Planning Act (ESHB 2496): Passed in 1998, the Act provides the framework for developing restoration projects. It requires a limiting factors analysis for habitat restoration be completed, and establishes a funding mechanism for local habitat restoration projects. It also creates the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. The office’s primary purpose is to coordinate and assist in the development of salmon recovery plans for Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) and submit those plans to NMFS, USFWS and appropriate tribal governments. The Salmon Recovery Office is obligated to prepare a State of the Salmon Report by December 2000. The bill also calls for the creation of an Independent Science Panel to provide scientific review of salmon recovery efforts in the state. The panel will provide independent and objective scientific advice to inform decision-making, separated as much as possible from economic, historic, cultural or political factors. This will help increase the level of credibility and public trust in Washington’s salmon strategy and regional conservation/restoration responses. Watershed Planning Act (ESHB 2514): This legislation, created in 1998, encourages voluntary planning by local governments, citizens, and tribes for water supply and use, water quality, and habitat at the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) or multi-WRIA level. Grants are available to conduct assessments of water resources and develop goals and objectives for future water resource management.   Salmon Recovery Funding Act (2E2SSB 5595): This legislation further developed concepts established in ESHB 2496. A Salmon Recovery Funding Board is established to localize salmon funding in one board. This Board will make decisions about base level allocations across regions, and will deliver funds for projects and activities based on a science-driven, competitive process. The legislation further clarified what must be considered in a Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon, and directs the Governor, with the assistance of the Salmon Recovery Office, to submit this document to NMFS and USFWS. Pacific Salmon Treaty — This Treaty is negotiated among Washington, Oregon, Alaska, tribes, and the federal governments of the U.S. and Canada. The outcomes of these discussions impact fish stocks and harvest in both western Washington and the Columbia Basin. Source of data: Roadmap to recover Works Cited Bora, Charandita. “Atlantic salmon facts” buzzle.com. 31 Dec. 2010. 01 March 2011 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/atlantic-salmon-facts.html CBC News Online. “Indepth: Salmon”. 03 Sept. 2004. 01 March 2011. CBC News. Canada.com. Fish farms to blame for possible wild salmon extinction: study, Dec. 13, 2007. 03 March 2011 Colorado Trout Unlimited. “How will climate change affect rivers and streams.” 13 Feb. 2011 Darling, Dyan. “New report says salmon, steelhead, and trout in danger of extinction.” Redding.com. local news. 21 Nov. 2008. 01 March 2011 http://m.redding.com/news/2008/nov/21/new-report-says-salmon-steelhead-and-trout-in- of/ redding.com. Department of Ecology, State of Washington. “What is Climate Change Climate Change”. Dept. of Ecology, State of Washington. 13 Feb. 2011 NASA. Climate Change, how much do we know? Global Climate Change. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 03 March 2011 NRDC – Natural Resources Defense Council. Global Warming threatens cold water fish. May . 03 March 2011 < http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/ntrout.asp> National Wildlife Federation. Effects on wildlife and habitat. 03 March 2011 Natural History of Book Trout . 14 Feb. 2011 Oreskes, Naomi. The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change 3 December 2004, Science Vol. 306 no. 5702 p. 1686 DOI: 10.1126/science.1103618 03 March 2011 Roadmap to Recovery. Regulatory Framework. 14 Feb. 2011 Thai Indian News. “Climate change adversely impacts populations of trout, salmon”. May 18, 2010. 14 Feb. 2011 Read More