Bloody effluent still spewing from B.C. fish processing plant, photographer finds

A photographer on Vancouver Island is again raising concerns about the practiceof dumping effluent containingfish blood fromfish processing plants.

Tavish Campbell says little has changed since he collected samples from bloody waste discharged into the ocean last year.

The samples, from processing plants that handlefarmed salmon on Vancouver Island, were tested by the Atlantic Veterinary College and found to contain piscine reovirus (PRV), a virus that some researchers believe is harming wild salmon.

The findings prompted an investigation by B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and a province-wide audit of fish processing facilities.

• B.C. investigating claims fish processing plants released contaminated effluent

Last month, Campbell returned to the plant in Tofino to repeat the tests.

"It was very distressing to see that nothing had changed in that year," he said, noting the new samples also contained PRV.

Permit review underway

The ministry of environment saidit is in the process of reviewing, and amending if necessary, each of the 30 effluent discharge permits for fish processing facilities that have been issued under theEnvironmental Management Act.

That review is to "ensure that effluent discharge permits in the fish processing sector contain provisions that are protective of the environment," the ministry said in a statement.

• New research suggests wild salmon exposed to fish farms have 'much higher' rate of viral infection

Campbell is also calling for stronger regulations on fish pathogens such as PRV from the federal government.

But the science on the risk to wild salmon is far from conclusive, said federal Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.

"There are certainly very different perspectives from a scientific perspective," he said.

Wilkinson has appointed an expert panel to studyPRV and said he does not expect anypotential changes to regulations until the panel reports back.

Fish plant to treat effluent

Meanwhile, changes are underway at the Lions Gate Fisheries processing facility inTofinowhere the samples were taken.

It has installed asystem to treateffluent before it enters the ocean. That system isexpected to go into operation in January.

"As a certified organic company we always strive to do better for our fish and for the environment where we operate," said Tim Rundle, general manager of Creative Salmon, which owns the processing facility.

"We worked with Lions Gate and the provincial government to amend the discharge permit to allow this trial and that is now in place."

• 17 fish farms could all be phased out under new agreement between B.C. government, First Nations

While PRVis found both at aquaculture sites and in the natural environment, changes to effluent permits are welcome news, saidDr. Mark Sheppard, a former lead veterinarian for Fisheries and Oceans Canada who now works for aquaculture companies, including Creative Salmon.

"There's always room for improvement. It's encouraging to see that effluents are being screened as much as possible to try to improve the quality of the effluent," Sheppard said.