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Americans, it’s time to ask the FDA about unapproved chemicals in your salmon!
The FDA is in the hot seat again. And once more, it’s about unapproved chemicals in the farmed salmon being sold in the US.
A few months ago, Pew Environment Group called out the FDA for allowing
Chilean farmed salmon to be imported and sold, even though it had been
treated with chemicals that have not been approved for use in food
imported into the US and, in some cases, contained residues of the
pesticide. But it seems the agency continues to turn a blind eye to the
rest of the farmed salmon imports that are treated with the same
chemicals—even though the FDA itself has said these chemicals cannot be used on fish destined for US consumption!
Drugs and chemicals routinely used in net-cage salmon farm operations around the world have not been approved for use in the US. For example, emamectin benzoate, more commonly known as SLICE™, is used in much of the farmed salmon sold in American restaurants and grocery stores. Over 85% of the farmed salmon produced in BC is exported to the US market and most of those fish have been treated with SLICE at least once.
SLICE is a pesticide that the salmon farming industry uses to control parasites called sea lice. It is mixed with feed and fed directly to the fish, yet it’s nasty stuff that can accumulate in sediments and is a known toxin that can affect fish, birds, mammals and aquatic invertebrates such as prawns.
The FDA was alerted to the situation months ago, but to the best of our knowledge, has failed to take any substantive action. You care about your health, your family and the health of the oceans. Americans, you can encourage the FDA to act -- it is your health they're mandated to protect.
You can send an email or write a letter to let the FDA know how you feel about unapproved drugs used in the production of farmed salmon. Click here for the contact info and a template you can customize.
Thanks for your efforts!
Canadians, it’s time to ask Premier Campbell about closed containment!
The only way forward for salmon farming is to transition to closed containment systems if we want to protect ocean health and wild salmon from the devastating impacts of open net-pens. CAAR has been strongly advocating for this solution, and now B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell has voiced his support.
In a recent media interview, the Premier was asked about a recommendation that the provincial government implement a commercial-scale closed containment project. Campbell responded, “We think that’s actually a good idea.”
Join us in encouraging the Premier to act on this good idea!
B.C. has a tremendous opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable aquaculture technology. Now is the time to invest in innovations that will build new, greener jobs and an export industry that services the growing demand for sustainable products. We’re tired of the old jobs vs. the environment argument -- protecting both is possible.
The Province will soon be tabling a revised budget. The Premier can act right now by funding the development of closed containment salmon aquaculture pilot projects. Communities want to develop sustainable economic opportunities and private investment will follow if government demonstrates leadership and commitment to innovation.
Tell Premier Gordon Campbell he’s right – closed containment is a good idea. Send a fax to urge him to allocate the funds to develop this new technology now.
Overwaitea collaborating with SeaChoice for seafood sustainability
Good news for oceans! On June 11th, Dr. David Suzuki joined Steve van der Leest, the President of Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) to announce a new partnership between the grocery retailer and SeaChoice, Canada’s national seafood program.
Overwaitea will be working closely with SeaChoice to assess the sustainability of all its seafood products and suppliers – including farmed Atlantic salmon, which is on SeaChoice’s red list of items to avoid. OFG has already committed to immediately stop selling several red-listed species, including yellowfin tuna, Chilean sea bass, and orange roughy at its 117 stores in B.C. and Alberta. The company plans to distribute SeaChoice’s wallet cards (get yours at www.seachoice.org) in their stores and soon customers will be readily able to identify and avoid all unsustainable seafood products such as farmed salmon.
Whether you’re at the seafood counter or at a restaurant, remember to say no to farmed salmon and to ask for sustainable seafood – your preferences can encourage even the largest retailers to make a difference!
Read full article in The Vancouver Sun.
Aquacultural Revolution, a new documentary film
Watershed Watch Salmon Society, a member group of CAAR, along with filmmaker Damien Gillis, recently produced a new documentary-style film examining the open net-cage salmon farming industry in BC. The film highlights the government’s denial of the mountain of science implicating the technology as detrimental to our oceans and ecosystems.
Watch a clip! Or check out the full-length film (16:45 minutes) on Watershed Watch's website. This video is another reminder why we need to act now to get these net-cages out of the water and into closed containment.
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