Gives a lot of support to the "conspiracy theory" that the feedlot damage to our wild salmon is being muzzled by DFO. Also supports why DFO "finds no evidence" of ISAV and other lethal viruses in our salmon, even though Morton and other scientists outside of DFO are finding evidence...
Scary stuff.
Not sure if the conspiracy theory holds much water with ISA or ISAV because many of the major players (governmental and non-governmental scientists) in this provided testimony at a Cohen Commission judicial inquiry. These experts were Dr. Kilbenge, Dr. Nylund, Ms. Gagne, and Dr. Miller.
As described in the previous chapter, I find that the evidence does not allow me to conclude whether the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAv) or an ISAv-like virus currently exists in Fraser River sockeye. I also do not have sufficient evidence to determine whether such an ISAv or ISAv-like virus, if present, is endemic to BC waters or has been introduced. I accept the opinion of several experts appearing before me that, at present, there has been no evidence that salmon recently tested for ISAv (the virus) suffered from ISA (the disease) as it is now understood. That is not to say that salmon testing positive for ISAv or ISAv-like genetic sequences may not be exhibiting a host response of some form. – Justice Bruce Cohen; Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River; Vol. 2, Chapter 5: Findings, Page 111.
Although they did not agree on whether ISAv or an ISAv-like virus was present, all agreed that more research was necessary and that, whether ISAv is present or not, there had been no confirmation of ISA in any of the Pacific salmon tested by the time of the December hearings. As stated in Volume 1, Chapter 9, Fish health management, I find that the evidence does not allow me to conclude whether ISAv or an ISAv-like virus currently exists in Fraser River sockeye. However, I accept the opinion of the expert panel (Dr. Kibenge, Dr. Nylund, Ms. Gagné, and Dr. Miller) that, as of December 2011, there was no evidence that fish tested for ISAv (the virus) suffered from ISA (the disease) as that disease was then understood. – Justice Bruce Cohen; Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River; Vol 2, Chapter 4: Decline Related Evidence, Page 60.
Secondly, because ISA is known for causing significant loss to fish farm operations (i.e. Chile) one would expect million of dead Atlantic Salmon on BC fish farms if ISA was present. It is not something that can be easily hidden. As Dr. Marty points out, it is not realistic that an infectious strain of ISAv would kill only 2% (55/2,709) of the dead fish sampled between 2006 and 2010. Thirdly, ISA (like IHN) is a reportable disease which means that fish farms are legally obligated to report it if present. For instance, when IHN was discovered at Mainstream’s Clayoquot area farms in May 2012 and Tofino area fish farms in July 2012 they were both reported to the CFIA like they should have. How was this hidden? Similarly, when ISA was discovered back east it was reported to the CFIA who in turn had the results confirmed by DFO’s Moncton lab and reported to the OIE (check their website). How was this hidden? Now if ISA was found and BC fish farms failed to report it or erased records of it then I might see your point. What Morton did was misinterpret what other scientists at the inquiry were saying on the subject as well as what Justice Cohen says in his Final Report. They are saying one thing while she is saying another. That is the only real conspiracy here.
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Topic: New policy gives government power to muzzle DFO scientists (Read 8776 times)