Seal, sea lion kills by salmon farms rise with population


VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada is reporting publicly, for the first time, the number of sea lions and seals killed at B.C.’s salmon farms as farmers attempt to protect their fish.

Between January and March, 37 harbour seals, 141 California sea lions and two Steller sea lions, which are of “special concern” under the federal Species at Risk Act, were shot and killed at fish farms, according to data posted on the DFO website.

Three more harbour seals and a California sea lion drowned at the farms within the same period.

Critics say that too many seals and sea lions are being killed in order to protect the industry’s cage-netted fish.

The data are reported to the DFO by the individual salmon farms, said ..... http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/S...2129/story.html