[BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA)]
Twenty of the world’s leading fisheries scientists have concluded that a recent study on the effects of sea lice on juvenile wild salmon fails to support its own hypothesis, according to a new study in press at Reviews in Fisheries Science. This peer reviewed paper by Brooks and Jones can be read here
The group of senior scientists analyzed a controversial paper recently published in Science magazine last month by Krkosek et al (2007). The Krkosek et al. study had concluded that sea lice associated with salmon farming in
Click here to read the study.
For an example of the media coverage this paper garnered click here
The latest peer reviewed study by lead authors Kenneth M. Brooks and Simon R.M. Jones, concludes that by using selective data, questionable analytical procedures and unsubstantiated assumptions, the dire predictions made by Krkosek et al. are completely unfounded. In fact, contrary to the conclusions reached by Krkosek et al., Broughton pink salmon have been steadily increasing with no indication that they are threatened with extinction.
Brooks and Jones state that the omission of additional scientific reports known to Krkosek et al. is a major concern, as other scientific evidence does not support the dire predictions made by Krkosek.
The Krkosek study failed to demonstrate any cause and effect relationship between sea lice infected pink salmon fry and larval lice on farmed salmon. Additionally, pink salmon mortality rates are not substantiated, faulty mathematical models are used and existing science that does not support the authors conclusions is omitted.
