Are there any genetic risks associated with farming Atlantic salmon in B.C.?
The common concern cited around genetic risks is that “domesticated” farm salmon have different characteristics than their wild counterparts, and that if they were to breed with wild fish, their “domestic” traits would be passed on, resulting in less “fit” offspring with a reduced ability to survive in the wild. Atlantic and Pacific salmon species have never been seen to interbreed in the wild. Laboratory trials to breed the two species have also had poor results. Therefore, even if Atlantic salmon escape from the net-cages, there is very little chance of any genetic interaction with wild stocks.
