Escape of Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic salmon are chosen as the species to be industrially farmed as they grow more quickly, tolerate higher stocking density and appear more disease resistant than Pacific salmon species. Genetic selection has led to enhancing these characteristics in farmed Atlantic salmon. When they escape they are an invasive species, interfering in wild fish spawning and creating genetic dilution;[1] consuming wild salmon eggs and fry and potentially being vectors for disease and parasites.[2],[3],[4] Atlantic salmon may also compete with wild Pacific salmon for food and habitat.
Between 1987 and 2008, 1,578,352 farmed Atlantic salmon have been reported as escaped from aquaculture facilities into B.C. waters. [5],[6] In one incident alone in 2008, 30,000 Atlantic salmon escaped into the marine environment.[7] In another single incident in 2009, 40,000 escaped.[8],[9]
Atlantic salmon have been found in 80 British Columbian rivers.[10]
