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February 4, 2002

B.C. lifts ban on fish farms

VICTORIA, British Columbia (AP) -- The government of British Columbia has lifted a six-year moratorium on new fish farms.

The province will begin accepting applications for new operations at the end of April, Fisheries Minister John van Dongen said.

A scientific review done by the Environmental Assessment Office concluded that the environmental risks of salmon farming under existing rules were low.

Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles urged British Columbia to reconsider its decision.

The governor said last year there were 29,000 accidental releases of Atlantic salmon from British Columbia fish farms. So far this year, there have been between 8,000 and 10,000.

The salmon-farming industry has come under fire from environmental groups and Indian tribes who argue it pollutes coastal waters with fish waste and encourages an increase in parasites that prey on wild stocks.




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