What the David Suzuki Foundation doesn’t want you to know about pink salmon returns in the Broughton Archipelago

The David Suzuki Foundation, a host of activist groups, and their ally, talk show host Rafe Mair, have been raising the alarm about low returns of pink salmon in the Broughton Archipelago in 2002 and blaming salmon farming for the drop.  Here’s what they don’t tell the BC public.

Click here to download this fact file

1.      Activists never cite the 5 years before 2002 when pink salmon returns were LOWER than those recorded in 2002.

In five years (1953, 1960, 1969, 1987, 1991) data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada indicate pink salmon returns in the Broughton Archipelago were LOWER than they were in 2002.  And in four of those years (1953, 1960, 1969, 1987) salmon farms had not yet been established in the Broughton.  These facts directly contradict information from the David Suzuki Foundation, which alleges low pink salmon returns in 2002 were highly unusual, alarming, and were the result of salmon aquaculture activity in the area.

2.      Activists use the year 2000 data on pink salmon returns as if 2000 was an average year.  It’s anything but!  2000 saw the highest return of pink salmon in recorded history!

The David Suzuki Foundation compares the low pink salmon returns of 2002 with the high returns of 2000 and blames salmon aquaculture for the drop in returns.  But what the Foundation doesn’t say is the returns seen in 2000 are far from 'normal.'  In fact, year 2000 returns were more than double the highest previous returns in history.  In fact, the low 2002 returns look very similar to data from pre-salmon-farming years (1953, 1960, 1969, 1987 – for example).  DFO figures show that low returns existed both before and after the start of aquaculture in the area.

3.      Activists cite even-year pink salmon returns because they help to bolster activist arguments.  But what about odd year returns?  Activists don’t cite these data because doing so would contradict their theory.

Activists only cite 'even-year figures' to support their alarmist agenda.  What they don’t tell you is odd-year pink returns, according to DFO data, are still increasing - to the extent that 2001 was the largest odd-year return in history.

What you can do in support of BC’s sustainable salmon aquaculture industry:

·        Call the David Suzuki Foundation at (604) 732-4228 and ask them to check their facts with regard to the sustainability of salmon aquaculture. 

·        E-mail Lynn Hunter at lhunter@davidsuzuki.org and tell her what you think about her leaked e-mail comment stating “tormenting fish farmers is fun.”

·        Call Rafe Mair at (604) 331-2711 or e-mail him at mair@cknw.com and ask him why he's always presenting his radio listeners with only half the story.