The provincial government sees the Privacy Commissioner’s review of the massive salmon die-off on the south coast last summer as vindication of his department.
The salmon die-off occurred in late August or early September of last year. It wasn’t publicly revealed until the FFAW issued a release on September 23rd. That raised questions about what the provincial department of Fisheries knew and when and whether the minister had an obligation to inform the public.
(Photo courtesy Atlantic Salmon Federation.)
Harvey concluded that the department did not have any information suggesting risk of harm to the environment or human health or safety.
Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne says the public was actually ill-informed by special interest groups and others who saw the mortality as an environmental disaster.
Several weeks elapsed between the event and the time it was revealed by government, but Minister Byrne says under new rules, companies would have to disclose the event to government within 24 hours. If they don’t agree with those rules, then he says do not apply for a license.
(Photo courtesy Atlantic Salmon Federation.)
