Cooke Aqua Charged In Lobster Deaths

by Fishermen’s Voice Staff

The largest producer of farmed salmon in eastern North America, and one of its subsidiaries are being charged with releasing a banned pesticide used to kill salmon lice into area waters.
The release of cypermethrin-based pesticide resulted in the deaths of 1,000 or more lobsters. According to Environment Canada cypermethrin is not authorized for use in Canada and is known to be harmful to crustaceans.

Three senior officials of Cooke Aquaculture, CEO Glenn Cooke, VP Mike Szemerda and Randal Griffin were charged with violating a section of the Canadian Fisheries Act on the deposition of harmful substances into fish baring waters. They each face penalties up to $11 million and 30 years in prison.

The events occurred between November 2009 and November 2010. There were 11 incidents identified in the waters around Seal Cove, Deer Island and Grand Manan in November and December 2009. Laboratory tests showed the dead lobsters had been exposed to cypermethrin.

CEO Glenn Cooke was quoted as saying his company encourages the government to approve the treatment and management tools that his companies fish health and farming teams need to protect the health of the companies fish.

Traditional Fisheries Coalition spokesperson Maria Recchia said the dumping of toxic chemicals into bays as a part of general management practices is unacceptable. Recchia noted their attempts to work more closely with the aquaculture industry. But the 2009 deaths of 1,000 lobsters has changed the degree of concern lobstermen have regarding farmed finfish in their traditional fishing grounds.

Cooke Aquaculture owns all the salmon farms located in Maine. Cypermethrin is permitted with some FDA restrictions for use in salmon farms in Maine.