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Thank you for highlighting the fact genetic engineering has been happening for some time. Another point you make is equally important. The point that as a need or crisis arises people will eventually turn to technology to try and solve it. When it comes to food people will use any and all means to secure their survival. Even if that means “playing god”.
Not to pile on but…If my understanding of the salmon lifecycle is correct I think the probability of them mating with wild stocks has been way overstreched. Salmon imprint on a water system from birth to smoltification. If Salmo domesticus follows this same pattern it would have imprinted on the rearing site or net pen area of the farm. If their migratory instincts are still in tact then they would migrate back to the fish farm when they start to reach maturity. They may find their way into a stream system close to the farm but it is highly unlikely they would just pop up a few hundred miles away. Even when wild salmon stray it hasn’t been shown to be that far from their native watershed. Just my perspective…
I agree with you that salmon farming most definitely has impacts on both the environment and wild salmon stocks. However, I can’t quite wrap my head around your argument of genetic diversity. I agree that strong genetic diversity is important. In salmon this has alowed them to adapt and specialize to a wide aray of stream conditions. However there is only so much genetic diversity in a given natal stream. The same decendents of the same salmon have been returning to the same stream for a long time. There already potential for the gene pool to get diluted. Straying of salmon from other streams actually increases the gene pool in that specific stream. Not looking to start an argument just give a different view of genetic diversity in salmon.
“Friends don’t let friends eat farmed fish”I also chose 5 as my assessment. Much like you mentioned from your local experience that the health of the rescorce hasn’t changed, I have to hope that there are enough health locations like yours that outweigh the unhealthy ones. I think the big issue is no one has a good way of measuring this. Without knowing where you grew up I would have to assume you are refering to a Salmon fishery. The question I would ask is if you have any ideas on a way to measure it against the health of Bristol Bay, the Yukon River, or British Columbia? Not trying to start any arguments I am just interested in other peoples ideas. Thanks…
Although I rated fish stocks a little higher I can see your point about halibut. It can’t be coincidence that over time the age to length ratio has decreased significantly. Additionally, it is interesting that you look at it from a historical commercial viewpoint and a current recreational perspective. Do you think they are equal measures of the health of the rescource? Also, I am interested if you have an opinion on what impact charter fishing has had on both the commercial and recreational fishery. Thanks…
