What is the salmon farming industry doing to stop farm salmon from escaping?
The aquaculture industry has a very strong incentive to prevent fish from escaping, as each escaped fish represents a direct economic loss to the company. The industry increasingly employs practices and equipment specifically to reduce the risk of escapes. Modern farms typically use more than 200 tons of anchors to stabilize the farm structures and one or more layers of containment nets and predator deterrent nets around the farm. In addition, only highly trained staff undertake higher risk activities such as moving fish into and out of the net-pens. Technology is continually evolving in this area and aquaculture facilities are regularly upgraded to maximize efficiency, with the goal of eliminating escapes entirely. The B.C. Salmon Farmers Association has also developed a Code of Practice that has been adopted by all member companies and includes standards for minimum net strength, net testing, and escape-response plans. This Code can be viewed at: http://www.salmonfarmers.org/industry
