7/1/2009 6:00:00 AM Letter: Aquaculture is a positive endeavor
The allegations made by Tom Jay in the June 24 Leader seem to be the same comments he made at the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) public comment meeting in mid June. I was disturbed with the inaccuracy of his comments then, but a "public comment" meeting is just that; accuracy is not questioned.
However, in this forum I will state that I believe his claims are inaccurate and not backed by real science. When establishing a new salmon farm, careful scientific evaluation needs to be carried out, and as long as this happens it is possible to site farms with no significant environmental damage. Government agencies monitor these facilities and ensure they are run in a benign way. Good science does not support claims to the contrary.
Jay implies that local salmon net-pen operations are part of a multinational industrial-capitalist system bent on destruction of our natural environment in pursuit of profit. Rather, my dealings with them have shown them to be an honest, hard-working group of people who respect the environment while trying to continue a competitive business. I have dealt with these people for almost a quarter of a century and see many of the same faces over the years: decent people providing solid income in our community.
It is a pity the latest iteration of the SMP wants Jefferson County to essentially close the door to salmon farming.
I agree local community efforts to maintain and restore salmon runs is a great achievement, but implying that allowing salmon and geoduck aquaculture in Jefferson County puts these salmon populations at risk is deceptive. Geoduck aquaculture was a system originally developed by state Department of Fish and Wildlife scientists at Point Whitney in the late 1980s and further refined by commercial shellfish farmers.
The shellfish industry provides many jobs and renewable income to the Puget Sound region in a sustainable way. The aquaculture industry has been in Washington since before statehood and has been operated by the same families for more than 100 years. These same people work diligently to protect the water quality they depend on for their livelihood.
I am always disappointed to hear people make inaccurate claims against aquaculture. I assume Jay is just speaking with insufficient scientific knowledge. Asking the county to ban certain forms of aquaculture instead of allowing a system of scientific and regulatory oversight to function, as it should, is both unfair and irresponsible.
GORDON KING
Port Townsend
Reader Comments
Posted: Sunday, July 05, 2009
Article comment by:
Dan Marcus
The problem is, "real science" is often subjective and misinterpreted, or taken out of context. Salmon farming is harmful to the environment simply by virtue of the feed used for farmed salmon, which requires dwindling wild fisheries of lower food chain species (Anchovies, Herring, etc.) It is disappointing to see people use half truths and propaganda to promote aquaculture without a full compliment of scientific knowledge on the impacts. Tom Jay's words indicate that he has a very good grasp on the realities of the issue, especially the last part in reference to the corruption of the SMP update process in Jefferson County.
For "the rest of the story" and full coverage of all Port Townsend and Jefferson County news, events and people, subscribe to our award-winning weekly newspaper.
