209
11 Salmon Aquaculture in Canada and Norway – Appraising Governability
There are requirements for reporting quantities and types of feed, chemicals and
drugs used. Cameras are normally installed to monitor feeding and waste. Regular
monitoring (or inspection) and reporting are mandatory for all producers. In many
cases, such as in Norway and Canada, operators are required to install nets to prevent birds from diving for salmon, as well as set up surrounding nets to avoid marine
mammal attacks.
Escape Prevention
The management and regulation for escapes include installation and maintenance of
facilities and staff training, prevention plans (e.g., site inspection), and response
plans (MAFF 2006 ) . Fines, and in some cases criminal charges, may be imposed on
salmon farm operators who violate the regulations or standards. If the case is serious, a license may be suspended.
Disease and Parasite Prevention and Control
This includes special guidelines or standards to deal with disease prevention, dead
fi sh and risk factors, as well as monitoring and recording of disease, hygiene and the
use of drugs and chemicals. In British Columbia, a Fish Health Management Plan
has been developed based on the federal and provincial guidelines, providing key
principles for individual farms to follow. In Norway, a Fish Disease Act has been
created to manage and prevent disease and parasite problems. In order to reduce or
minimize risks, Norway also controls the maximum numbers of sea lice per fi sh in
different development stages. Drugs for treating sea lice are mainly administered
through bathing, while antibiotics are administered through feed. Both amount and
type of drugs and chemicals are determined by veterinary prescriptions. The sale of
medicated feeds and drugs are also monitored.
In sum, these management strategies and policies largely consist of guidelines,
standards and principles. Some are mandatory, while others are voluntary. Over time,
these regulatory frameworks have become more comprehensive. Consequently, some
problems have reduced, but others, like disease and parasites, persist. Strategies and
policies do not necessarily guarantee desirable outcomes regarding social and environmental bene fi ts. Likewise, they may not be as economically ef fi cient as expected.
Improving the Governability of the Salmon Aquaculture Industry
Based on the description above, Table 11.1 summarizes several characteristics of
salmon aquaculture that affect the governability of this system. At an individual
farm level, the salmon aquaculture industry is rather homogenous, not very complex
11 Salmon Aquaculture in Canada and Norway – Appraising Governability
There are requirements for reporting quantities and types of feed, chemicals and
drugs used. Cameras are normally installed to monitor feeding and waste. Regular
monitoring (or inspection) and reporting are mandatory for all producers. In many
cases, such as in Norway and Canada, operators are required to install nets to prevent birds from diving for salmon, as well as set up surrounding nets to avoid marine
mammal attacks.
Escape Prevention
The management and regulation for escapes include installation and maintenance of
facilities and staff training, prevention plans (e.g., site inspection), and response
plans (MAFF 2006 ) . Fines, and in some cases criminal charges, may be imposed on
salmon farm operators who violate the regulations or standards. If the case is serious, a license may be suspended.
Disease and Parasite Prevention and Control
This includes special guidelines or standards to deal with disease prevention, dead
fi sh and risk factors, as well as monitoring and recording of disease, hygiene and the
use of drugs and chemicals. In British Columbia, a Fish Health Management Plan
has been developed based on the federal and provincial guidelines, providing key
principles for individual farms to follow. In Norway, a Fish Disease Act has been
created to manage and prevent disease and parasite problems. In order to reduce or
minimize risks, Norway also controls the maximum numbers of sea lice per fi sh in
different development stages. Drugs for treating sea lice are mainly administered
through bathing, while antibiotics are administered through feed. Both amount and
type of drugs and chemicals are determined by veterinary prescriptions. The sale of
medicated feeds and drugs are also monitored.
In sum, these management strategies and policies largely consist of guidelines,
standards and principles. Some are mandatory, while others are voluntary. Over time,
these regulatory frameworks have become more comprehensive. Consequently, some
problems have reduced, but others, like disease and parasites, persist. Strategies and
policies do not necessarily guarantee desirable outcomes regarding social and environmental bene fi ts. Likewise, they may not be as economically ef fi cient as expected.
Improving the Governability of the Salmon Aquaculture Industry
Based on the description above, Table 11.1 summarizes several characteristics of
salmon aquaculture that affect the governability of this system. At an individual
farm level, the salmon aquaculture industry is rather homogenous, not very complex