The granting of a license is conditional on the Minister being satisfied that wild salmon populations will not be impacted. I am especially pleased that representatives of the Atlantic Salmon Federation and our regional council will be involved in the development of the conditions for the aquaculture industry. The Salmonid Council of Newfoundland and Labrador will take the lead in working with DFO and provincial agencies in this regard. It is extremely important to use only local strains of native species in culture facilities.
Rainbow trout is an exotic species in Newfoundland.
It can compete and completely displace wild Atlantic salmon, especially considering the fragile state the wild salmon are in today. In the face of uncertainty as to whether exotic species escaping from aquaculture operations will impact wild salmon populations, the Precautionary Approach to fisheries management, which Canada ascribes to, requires that we do not take risks that could have irreversible impacts. There is also need for dramatic improvements in the containment system. Considering these conditions, in addition to the need to involve wild salmon groups to assist with local planning, environmental and conservation issues, I would expect this issue to be under scrutiny for some time.