Northern Vancouver Island split on fish farming

Members of the legislature's Sustainable Aquaculture Committee have been given an earful from both sides in the debate over fish farming in B.C. during hearings on northern Vancouver Island.

Dozens of people opposed to open-net fish farming turned out for a public hearing in the tiny community of Sointula on Tuesday.

They included fishermen who fear the impact of fish farming on their livelihood, and a seafood processor who wants the provincial government to buy out fish-farm licences and shut them down.

Sport fishing guide David Parker told the committee that the fish farms along the B.C. coast don't make any sense.

"What is natural about Atlantic salmon in the Pacific Ocean? Why are we such an arrogant primate to think we know better than Mother Nature. Why doesn't common sense come into play?:

Industry 'flavour of the month'

Then just hours later at another hearing in Port McNeill where aquaculture is a major employer, fish-farm critics like Parker were dismissed by Mayor Gerry Furney.

"The aquaculture industry appears to be the current flavour of the month with the well-organized and well-funded groups that have little concern for the damage they do to to our workers, our employers and our communities."

Furney also scoffed at consumers who insist on wild salmon when dining out.

"You don't hear people going into a restaurant and saying, 'I'd like some wild chicken, or some wild beef or some wild pig.' It's not done.

New Democrat MLA Gregor Robertson says these "irreconcilable differences" are making it difficult for the committee to find any common ground on the issue.

The committee began hearings three weeks ago, visiting a total of 19 communities, and is scheduled to present its recommendations on the future of fish farming to the legislature by next March.