Attached is a list of 47 independent studies of the real and potential impacts of Open Net salmon farming in BC. The list includes abstracts or summaries of the findings plus links to to the actual published papers which may require a subscription or a fee for access.

These studies are peer reviewed and published in academic  periodicals. Thirty-five (35) of these studies deal with sea lice issues, 12 with disease transmission and 5 others with economic, eco-system and sustainability issues. These were published in January of this year and additional studies may have been published. There are papers for studies carried out in other jurisdictions that reach similar finding.

I am providing this list in response to the claims that there is no evidence that open net farms present any kind of harms to wild salmon or the environment as a whole. Also please note that many studies find that potential harm from factors like sea lice infestation of wild fish are dependent on a number of variables and much of the time sea lice levels may present little short term risk. At other times it looks clear they do. Neither am I claiming the collected papers on this list prove anything one way or the other but rather be cautious of claims from either side.

I believe it is up to individuals to inform themselves on such issues and make up their own minds.

The list:

https://pacificwild.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Annotated_Guide_to_Independent_Studies_on_Open-Net_Pen_Salmon_Farming_2025.pdf

The Chilliwack fall salmon fishery is a by product of the hatchery feeding a heavily promoted saltwater fishery. Any attempt to cut that back will meet pushback from that sector which has a lot of clout. DFO could cut the coho hatchery production by half and set the limit to 2 fish and it would still have an excellent in river fishery. That still will run afoul of the sport fishing industry in the chuck and it may still be super crowded anyway.

I remember dink floating, pink wool in the Chehalis over 25 years ago shoulder to shoulder. Went out there again last year, there was only a hand full of people, one guide on the other side doing a walk a wade with someone and that's it.

good fishing brings the crowds 

I am not saying they should reduce the hatchery production, I'm just saying the good fishing is the primary driver for all the people.

Isn't The Vedder Chinook Hatchery production is reduced back down to 1 Million from 2 Million. We should see fewer of them next year and fewer people bragging about how many springs they caught.

They did, Also I believe the Coho a bit too as to many were returning to the hatchery. Chum too but I don't no if that got reversed or not.

Isn't The Vedder Chinook Hatchery production is reduced back down to 1 Million from 2 Million. We should see fewer of them next year and fewer people bragging about how many springs they caught.

Cut the hatchery production and you would cut the crowds guaranteed.

This doesn't work, and it's something Ralph said recently as to why. It's basically the idea of having 'harvest' fisheries etched into your memory
He was talking about how they cut the hatchery cutthroat stocking to the Fraser river and backwaters. It's been years since they have clipped cutthroat. There are none left....but we've been fishing the Fraser backwaters for decades hoping to get a 'hatchery' cutthroat. It's etched in memory that a 'harvest' fishery for them exists

Problem is.... I am still seeing guys today in the Fraser backwaters and sloughs hauling cutthroat up the banks before checking them. They say, "too bad...another wild one".... until I tell them that there are no hatchery fish left and they need to stop hauling them up the banks.

It would be the same thing with the Vedder. After the last 45 years of plentiful harvest, it would take YEARS for people to realize that there is nothing (or very little) to take home. In the meantime, the fewer remaining wild fish would be getting hauled up the banks by 'hopefuls' who still think their catch might be a legal fish.

The best solution for right now is to leave the Chilliwack/Vedder as is for the most part. It is a harvest river where the wild fish seem to hold their numbers year after year....even with all the pressure. It's not a perfect situation, but it's not completely broken either. The best thing they could do right now is to heavily increase enforcement. The fines would EASILY pay the wages. Just plain common sense here.

It’s the angling success that causes all the crowds and when it’s really good guy are calling out all their buddies that would normally not be around.

Cut the hatchery production and you would cut the crowds guaranteed.

It’s the sockeye mentality

Everyone that goes into the gong show needs to know what to expect and as they say go with the flow. If your going out there thinking your gonna get space, then your already going out with the wrong mind set.

Have to go into it with the right frame of mind and you will save your self an headache.

Closing large sections of the Chilliwack will likely move all the nonsense somewhere else.

Changing people's attitudes can help. I admired Petr Herman when he said he catches enough for his needs and then stops fishing ...for the season. One guy posted limits he caught on 7 consecutive days, that's 28 fish. Seems excessive to me. I  might do that once or twice in the season but afterwards I'd want a change of pace, like trout fishing.  Reducing the number of fish available would be another approach but certain not to be popular. There could other things equally not welcome by most. Me I just don't go. I'd planned to scope out some walk in spots earlier in the season but the timing didn't line up for me. Maybe this winter or next year I'll put in the time. But I have other places to fish though they are not as productive yet they are more satisfying in many ways the Vedder can't match.

Simple way would be to close the canal , and maybe the rapids below Tamihi , another location known for snagging .

Now you want to close below Tamahi too? You should probably include the entire Allison Pool section then. Maybe throw in the whole Lickman/Peach section. Definitely too many snaggers by the train bridge also. The 'slab' would be an absolute shut down.

You make no sense. This idea of shutting down sections of the river because of 'snaggers' is just stupid.
Every section that gets shut down is just going to increase the snagging on other parts of the river and make it more crowded.

You remind me of those with the rediculous 'gun laws' mentality. They say that if you take away guns from law abiding citizens that there won't be anymore mass shootings. That's not how reality works and you need to learn that.

Criminals will always have guns to shoot other people with.... and snaggers/poachers will always be poaching/snagging no matter what laws are introduced or even enforced.
The sooner you understand that, the sooner you will stop being angry about things you can't control.

You are absolutely right (for a change, lol)

the you will be shocked to know that over many years I have with few exceptions been agreement with what you have written online.

The last few days, Jay has totally been trolling the Facebook crowd. It's sad how gullible the haters are. He's posting pictures of chum he caught in previous years calling them 'northern Coho', and they are ready to hang him for it. The internet wins this week.

Really sad that there is someone who instead of just enjoying a time honoured outdoor hobby needs validation by trolling people on the internet . I could care less about some snagger on the internet. I care more that people abuse a precious resource with no respect for it or their fellow anglers .

As for the CO's enforcing the rules , that wont happen because they lack the manpower , though no fault of their own .
Simple way would be to close the canal , and maybe the rapids below Tamihi , another location known for snagging .