Statement on processing plant wastewater

STATEMENT RE: PROCESSING PLANT WASTEWATER

BC Salmon Farmers Association Executive Director Jeremy Dunn comments on a video showing the wastewater discharge from a salmon processing plant on Vancouver Island.

“Having viewed the video, I understand why people are concerned about the effluent being discharged from fish processing plants. While the wastewater remains red in colour, the water being discharged from Browns Bay Packing Company is treated to remove solids and ensure pathogens are neutralized.”

“In 2011, to control the potential spread of pathogens, practices were changed to have all blood-water and wastewater used during off loading and transport from the boat collected at the processing plant. Wastewater from boats transporting fish, wild or farmed, has historically been discharged at sea without treatment.”

“Browns Bay Packing operates under a permit issued by the Province of B.C. It has gone through an environmental impact study in the permitting process.”

“We want to ensure we’re continuing to meet the highest standards in waste water treatment, and will be meeting as an industry to review all plant processes, as well we will be discussing this with regulators.”

Background on the regulatory framework and permitting process.

Regulatory Framework

Waste discharge is regulated under the BC Environmental Management Act Part 2, Section 14 – which allows a permit to be issued for
aquaculture http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/lc/statreg/03053_02#section14

The permit is issued to the proponent describing the amount of effluent allowed, characteristics of the effluent and required monitoring and reporting.

Permits are purpose built for each facility and consider the type of effluent and receiving water bodies.

Detailed Engineering Required

Waste treatment is very complicated and companies work with professional engineers and biologists to design treatment gear to meet permit targets, and monitor to ensure that this happens.

Environmental Impact Study

A detailed study typically includes plume dispersion, environmental baseline etc. is completed for the receiving waters. This helps the Ministry of Environment decide what the permit requirements will be to protect the environment.

About the BC Salmon Farmers Association:

Farm-raised salmon is B.C.’s highest valued seafood product, the province’s top agricultural export, and generates over $1.5-billion towards the B.C. economy, resulting in over 6,600 jobs.

The BC Salmon Farmers Association represents 52 businesses and organizations throughout the value chain of finfish aquaculture in B.C. Our members account for over 95% of the annual provincial harvest of farm-raised salmon, 100% of the salmon feed produced in B.C., and most of the service and suppliers involved in ensuring that over $700-million (2016 value) of salmon raised in B.C. gets to domestic and global markets.

For more information visit BCSalmonFarmers.ca

Media contact:

Jeremy Dunn
Jeremy@bcsalmonfarmers.ca
604-202-2147