Dear Minister Thomson (Ministry Agriculture and Lands):
I am writing because I understand the salmon feedlot site Larsen Island has become so polluted that Marine Harvest has to abandon it for some time. As a result, Marine Harvest is going to restock two other sites in Broughton called Blunden Pass and Upper Retreat. There are several issues here; biological and legal.
The biology – I have done a considerable amount of work examining flatfish in the area of Retreat and Blunden Passages at the request of fishermen. The majority of flatfish in the area were infected with lesions, tumors and eye parasites when there were salmon feedlots operating on those sites. Although I never saw the DFO report, I understand there was an extensive area of seafloor contamination around those feedlots, which is not surprising given how shallow the area is. The physical condition of the flatfish was consistent with industrial pollution. As the years went by after those feedlots were closed, the younger sole began to look beautiful and healthy while the older ones remained deformed.
Legal Tenure – The Upper Retreat and Blunden Pass tenures no longer belong to Marine Harvest they are expired. As I understand it, they are expired because First Nations have not allowed them to be renewed.
Terms of Occupation – When Marine Harvest had these leases they were only Licenses of Occupation. That means they were never granted exclusive use of the seafloor and were expected to share (definition on Crown Lands website). However, Marine Harvest is currently dropping anchors on a seafloor they do not have legal tenure to and are obstructing the long-standing shrimp fishery.
In Summary – Could you let me know:
• What legal right does Marine Harvest have to resume industrial operations at Upper Retreat and Blunden Pass?
• How you have addressed the First Nation concerns that halted renewal of these tenures
• How you are going to compensate the commercial fishermen who do have a legal license to use that area?
• How you have reconciled destruction of fish and fish habitat by an activity with no legal tenure?
I realize these are difficult questions, but why have laws and licenses if they only apply to some activities and people and not everyone?
Thank you for your consideration and your reply.
Alexandra Morton
September 13, 2010