The following article appeared in your local newspaper in Green River, Maine. The article caught your attention because you know that many families in Green River are involved in either fishing or aquaculture industries. You also know the local salmon hatchery located near the mouth of the Green River employs many town residents. And one of your favorite foods is salmon!

Farm-Raised Salmon: Friend or Foe?

DATELINE: GREEN RIVER, MAINE

The environmental group Fishhuggers has proposed a ban on building new farms for raising salmon in Maine. They also are asking for an overhaul of the entire state regulation system. The group announced its stand as a result of the recent escape of farm-raised salmon into Maine’s Emerald Bay. According to the group, farm- raised fish are bred for qualities very different from those of wild salmon. Fishhuggers reports that the danger is that farm-raised fish can escape their pens and make their way into rivers where wild salmon spawn, mate with them, and pass on genetic characteristics unsuitable for the wild fish population. Fishhuggers also fears that farm-raised fish could pass on serious diseases. They charge that the fish farms are a major source of pollution as fish waste, extra fish food, and chemicals used to clean the fish eventually end up in the sea. Maine’s aquaculture industry, which is the second largest industry in the state, argues that banning the salmon farms would be economic suicide. They claim that escapes from the farm pens are actually rare, and interbreeding with wild fish is even rarer. Moreover, they insist that little danger exists that escaped fish wuld cause damage to the wild salmon gene pool. This debate will continue at a meeting to be held at the Green River Town Hall at 7:00 P.M. Thursday evening.

As a concerned citizen, you know that you will be expected to take a position on the economic and ecological issues this article raises. You decide to do some research to learn more.

OBJECTIVES

Identify issues involving farm-raised salmon.

Gatherand organize information about salmon farming.

Composea letter stating an opinion about the issue.

MATERIALS

•paper and pencil

•reference sources, including the Internet

PROCEDURE

1. List at least 3 issues presented in the newspaper article. (3pts)

2. List 3 questions that could be raised about the situation presented in the article. (3pts)

3. Research the issue using the internet. Visit at least 3 legitimate websites. List/cite the websites you use (URL, Name of organization or individual sponsoring site, date). (3pts)

4. Make a table about the advantages and disadvantages of salmon fisheries. Record information and summarize the main points you learn from the websites in your table. Try to come up with 3-5 pros and 3-5 cons. (10pts)

ANALYSIS

1. Look at your table. Describe what you learned about the advantages and disadvantages of salmon fisheries? For example, are there more advantages or disadvantages in your opinion? Or do the pros or cons outweigh each other in some way in your opinion? Why specifically do you think that? (2pts)

2. Did you learn anything in your research to refute (refute means to go against/be contrary to) any of the statements made in the newspaper article? What are the facts? What are their sources? (1pt)

3. What information did you find that supports the fish farmers’ point of view? (1pt)

CONCLUSIONS

4. Think about and record some ideas about how each of the following individuals might view the proposed legislation to ban salmon farming:

local restaurant owner: for/against/indifferent... why?

conservation biologist: for/against/indifferent... why?

salmon hatchery farmer: for/against/indifferent... why?

Fishhuggers environmental activist: for/against/indifferent... why?

sports fisherman: for/against/indifferent... why?

local consumer: for/against/indifferent... why?

Choose ONE role from the list above. Write a short persuasive letter to the state regulators stating your support or rejection of the proposed ban. Be sure to give solid facts to support your opinion.

(6pts)

5. In YOUR opinion, should the ban be implemented? State the reasons for your decision. (3pts)

6. Come up with and describe a compromise or alternative solution that would meet the needs of everyone concerned about this environmental issue. Then decide if the ban should still be implemented. Describe your reasoning. (3pts)