St. Mary’s Bay Coastal Alliance, Friends of Port Mouton Bay and Mayday-Shelburne County are expressing grave concern over the recent fines levied against Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. by Health Canada for the improper use of pesticides in N.B. (Herald, Nov. 29, 2011) The fact that Kelly Cove Salmon could not work out basic measurements of a highly toxic pesticide is alarming, to say the least. The fish farming industry is aware of the extreme risk the pesticide Salmosan poses to other marine species, particularly lobster – to KNOWINGLY use such a highly toxic pesticide improperly is absolutely shocking.
Why has the NSDFA been silent on the ongoing serious issue of pesticide charges against Cooke Aquaculture, the same company the NSDFA is allowing to expand in N.S.?
In addition, the industrys’ comments about sea lice treatments in N.S. are confusing. Cooke Aquaculture representatives have continually stated that they have never had to treat for sea lice in N.S., while recent statements by Pamela Parker (ACFFA) suggest otherwise. Dr. Roland Cusack, NSDFA Fish Health Veterinarian, has stated that in 2010, a N.S. salmon farm treated for sea lice.
This is an opportunity for the NSDFA to clear up this confusion and disclose when and where sea lice treatments have been used in N.S. It is also time to hear the NSDFA’s position on the industries’ continued issues with the use of pesticides. A "good neighbour", as Cooke Aquaculture has described itself, does not knowingly put other neighbourhood businesses, like the lobster fishery, at risk.
Karen Crocker, St. Mary’s Bay Coastal Alliance
1-902-839-2923
Gloria Gilbert, Friends of Port Mouton Bay
1-902-656-3376
Sindy Horncastle, Marilyn Moore , Mayday-Shelburne County
1-902-875-4771
1-902-875-2541
Aquaculture DIGEST 
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To clarify…. In 2010, one of our member companies, Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd, along with other salmon farmers in New Brunswick, were authorized to use up to 1,000 grams of Salmosan per treatment to treat their salmon for sea lice. The exact amount of approved medicine used depends upon the method of treatment.
New Brunswick salmon farmers made the decision to use well boats — the method where the least amount of product is used. So instead of using 1,000 grams of Salmosan in a skirt treatments, farmers used 10 times less — only 100 grams — in well-boats.
Our farmers were fined for using 100 gram packages, instead of up to 90 grams of product, which was authorized for use in a well boat, because the vendor sold the product in 100 gram packages only. Regulations prevent farmers from repackaging amounts themselves. This must be done in a controlled lab. It was our salmon farmers who alerted regulators to this problem, and the packaging issue has been resolved.
The well-boat treatments (like skirt treatments) were below any level that would have any negative impact to fish quality, fish health, to the marine environment, and to lobsters.
Our farmers are good neighbours and care about the marine environment in which they live and work. That’s why they invest in ‘green’ technology like well-boats in the first place. It is important that your readers understand all the facts so that they can make an informed decision on this issue.
Bill Bryden says:
WHAT BS! in NL they use 100s of KILOGRAMS a summer! This is VOLUNTARILY REPORTED AMOUNTS. No one is watching and workers tell me they use WAy more than recommended, do not tarp, and treat 3 cages at a time by the shovel load! Importation amounts are VOLUNTARILY reported and so are usage amounts! It is criminal. This is a DEAD neurotoxin.