|
Dr. Walton W. Dickhoff. (Photo: NOAA/FIS)
More scientists join open letter to stop salmon farming ban in Washington
UNITED STATES
Friday, March 02, 2018, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
Two more recognized scientists joined the Open Letter to the Washington Legislature asking for the opportunity to provide a science briefing prior to a vote on House Bill 2957, which would ban the farming of Atlantic salmon in the state.
Dr. Walton W. Dickhoff, former Director of the Environmental Conservation Division of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, a globally respected fish endocrinologist; and Jon M. Lindbergh, an international voice for science and respected aquaculture consultant, signed the letter written by four prominent scientists.
The first signatories of the open letter are a former director of the laboratory in Manchester, Washington; two former directors of the national aquaculture program led by NOAA a former director of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the former president of Stolt Sea Farms Washington, Inc., one of the first companies in the state to successfully grow salmon.
Executive Director of the Washington Fish Growers Association (WFGA), Dan Swecker, expressed his satisfaction with the support WFGA has received since letter first went public.
“We are grateful to those who have reached out to WFGA to express their concern over the lack of due diligence on the part of many in the legislature who have ignored the scientific evidence and would ban an entire industry,” he said.
The leader emphasized that passage of the current version of HB 2957 would “not only eliminate the option to raise Atlantic salmon in Washington, but—more important for the fiscal health of the state—could trigger financial penalties of more than $76 million against Washington under the North American Free Trade Agreement.”
Swecker pointed out that aquaculture adds jobs and revenues while providing much-needed protein that can be sourced locally as opposed to imported.
“Like other farm products, locally farmed Atlantic salmon should be viewed as an alternative source of protein for people who can’t afford wild salmon.”
An amendment to the bill, which allows the production of female-only salmon, would avoid the penalty and make it impossible for escapees to reproduce.
This amendment will be offered if the bill is passed for a vote on the Senate.
Related articles:
- Washington fish farmers urge senate to support alternative for farmed salmon bans
- Washington fish growers urge Senate to stop salmon farm bans
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
|
|
Print
