In this episode of The Maritime Outdoorsman, host Dave Doggett talks open net pen fin fish aquaculture with Lewis Hinks, director of programs for the Atlantic Salmon Federation in Nova Scotia.  Lewis is currently one of only 11 master certified fly casting instructors in all of Canada.  Open net pen fin fish aquaculture is not only having a negative impact on our native wild Atlantic Salmon stocks by way of escapes and disease transfer, but is also the cause of many other environmental concerns in our region.  Though many other countries have banned open net pen fin fish aquaculture, our local governments have embraced the industry, despite the indisputable negative environmental impacts, hoping that aquaculture jobs will impact our economy.  ASF does not oppose aquaculture, but does oppose open net pen fin fish aquaculture.

Related links:

http://asf.ca/asf-team.html – ASF Staff page (scroll down to Regional Staff to find Lewis’ contact information

http://asf.ca/cleanupsalmonfarming.html – Clean Up Salmon Farming

http://www.cosewic.gc.ca – COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) status on wild Atlantic Salmon

http://www.sustainableblue.com – World leading aquaculture in the heart of Nova Scotia

http://www.salmonwars.com – A documentary focused on the issues surrounding aquaculture in our region