While not an outdoor recreation impact
(which is the focus of Leave No Trace, aquaculture still impacts outdoor
recreation so has been included in this blog.
As the former owner of a sea kayaking business, I’ve spent a decade enjoying the sheltered and protected waters of British Columbia, Canada. As a passionate sea kayaker, protecting the world’s bodies of water, and the species within them, is close to my heart.While British Columbia literally has thousands of kilometres of sheltered protected waters, we don't have the luxury of this in New Zealand.
Last year a salmon farm business was awarded the right to install another four salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds. While I was not close to the proceedings I am disappointed that another part of our protected waters are going to have an impact on the recreational use of this area. In addition to the reduction in wilderness feel and recreational opportunities, there’s also the wider impact of intensive farming in a marine eco-system. There is enormous potential for disease transfer to other fish, water pollution, algae blooms and waste on the ocean floor.
Moreover, antibiotics used to treat sick fish will enter the eco system. There are likely to be many more impacts that are not yet fully understood or realised. The economic argument for aquaculture is strong, and that has led to a proliferation of fish farms around the world. I’d love to see the leave no trace principles recommended as a way of minimising recreational impacts - particularly in rare, sheltered, water-based recreational areas such as the Marlborough Sounds.
As the former owner of a sea kayaking business, I’ve spent a decade enjoying the sheltered and protected waters of British Columbia, Canada. As a passionate sea kayaker, protecting the world’s bodies of water, and the species within them, is close to my heart.While British Columbia literally has thousands of kilometres of sheltered protected waters, we don't have the luxury of this in New Zealand.
Last year a salmon farm business was awarded the right to install another four salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds. While I was not close to the proceedings I am disappointed that another part of our protected waters are going to have an impact on the recreational use of this area. In addition to the reduction in wilderness feel and recreational opportunities, there’s also the wider impact of intensive farming in a marine eco-system. There is enormous potential for disease transfer to other fish, water pollution, algae blooms and waste on the ocean floor.
Moreover, antibiotics used to treat sick fish will enter the eco system. There are likely to be many more impacts that are not yet fully understood or realised. The economic argument for aquaculture is strong, and that has led to a proliferation of fish farms around the world. I’d love to see the leave no trace principles recommended as a way of minimising recreational impacts - particularly in rare, sheltered, water-based recreational areas such as the Marlborough Sounds.
Blog submitted by Paul Chaplow, Leave No Trace board member,
outdoor adventurer...
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