Aquaculture in British Columbia

Fish farms or aquaculture have been a source of controversy for decades. The idea is that by harvesting and growing fish, you can lessen the dependency on fisheries, and negate the environmental impact on wild fish populations, all the while creating jobs and promoting innovation. The idea is sound but it has been argued that the means in which it is carried out can be destructive to the environment. One such debate is taking place in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. It pits pro-aquaculture reformist like the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR), and the First Nations against anti-aquaculture reformist like the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) and the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA). In this essay I will offer my solution to the environmental destruction caused by fish farms, after I analyze both sides of the argument and provide a historical context of the industry involved.
Instances of overfishing have been present in the history of most industrialized countries.   In the 1970’s, the universal decline in fish populations coupled with people’s growing infatuation with seafood, led governments, companies and environmentalist to seek sustainable methods for obtaining seafood. Aquaculture or fish farms became the leading solution to this issue. However, finding willing, conducive locations to harvest fish proved to be difficult. Alaska outlawed salmon fish farms altogether, but British Columbia (B.C.), along the Pacific coast of Canada, welcomed the opportunity.
The Initial start of salmon farming in B.C., during the 1970’s, was slow. This was due to the fact that research was still being conducted to determine the most appropriate species and techniques for raising and harvesting salmon. It was through this research that Atlantic salmon was determined to be the best fit. They are more docile and have a higher feed conversion rate than other species of salmon. Meaning the ratio to how much meat they produce to how much food they...