Political and bureaucratic interference is compromising fisheries science advice in Canada for the sake of industry, according to a new report.
Published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, the report follows a similar study conducted 26 years ago.
However, while that paper used Atlantic Cod as their case study, the new report looks into salmon aquaculture in BC.
According to the authors, scientific advice should be impartial, evidenced-based, transparent, and independently reviewed.
But the study found multiple examples in which the DFO had invited salmon farm employees to review scientific assessments of their impacts.
It also allowed them to suppress research into salmon pathogens and to avoid sharing aquaculture data for independent analysis.
As such, the authors recommend Canada establish an independent fisheries science advisory body to ensure quality scientific advice.
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