The public will finally get to see the scale of sea lice infestation on BC fish farms thanks to a successful four-year Freedom of Information battle led by environmental groups T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation and Ecojustice.

BC's Freedom of Information and Privacy Commissioner decided the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands could no longer conceal records of sea lice infestations, based on information gathered during visits to salmon farms.

The decision rejects the assertions of fish farm companies that release of the data would harm proprietary commercial interests. The decision acknowledges that release of the records may harm the reputations of fish farms but held that the Act does not protect companies from the public relations fallout that results from the public knowing the true nature of the companies' activities and impacts on the environment.

The decision also held that the Ministry could not give into the threats of companies to simply withhold information, noting that the Ministry does have regulatory powers it could exercise if it chose.

The decision means greater independent scientific inquiry and public oversight into the highly contentious practice of open-net salmon farming along BC's West Coast.

With incidence of sea lice and disease on farms, several scientists have predicted that the industry will lead to the extinction of some wild salmon runs in the Broughton Archipelago.

The Ministry has repeatedly refused to hand over the information, first requested in 2004, arguing that any observations made by government staff during the farm visits were subject to secrecy laws governing commercial information.
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