More carnage in fish-farm nets
Deaths follow those of 51 sea lions near Tofino
John Bermingham, The Province
Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2007

More marine mammals have been found drowned in nets at a B.C. fish farm.

The latest deaths were in the Broughton Archipelago, northeast of Vancouver Island, where a dolphin, porpoise and sea lion were entangled and drowned.

Film-maker and diver Twyla Roscovich told The Province she was out on the water at Wehlis Bay on April 2, when she filmed the dead Steller's sea lion, tangled in the fish farm's netting.

"These nets look like seals, and sea lions could easily get tangled in them," said Roscovich. "Why do they have these lethal nets?"

Last week, 51 sea lions drowned in nets at a fish farm near Tofino.

Catherine Stewart of the Sointula-based Living Oceans Society said fish farms don't have to report net drownings.

"The scale of the problem could be really significant," said Stewart, adding that the industry needs to protect wild-salmon stocks and marine mammals.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada officials are investigating the incidents.

"The department takes these types of incidents very seriously," said Andrew Thomson, acting director of aquaculture management.

DFO is notifying fish farms that they are expected to report net drowning deaths.

"The industry has been very responsible in reporting the incidents," said Thomson.

"I have no reason to believe that there are any farms that aren't complying."

Roscovich's footage can

be seen at www.callingfromthecoast.com.