alien or modified organisms into native waters, transmission of diseases to wild
stocks, and displacement of local and indigenous human communities are also
side effects.
CASE STUDY
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were banned in the United States in the late
1970s and are slated for global phase-out under the United Nations treaty on
persistent organic pollutants. PCBs are highly persistent and have been linked
to cancer and impaired fetal brain development. Salmon farming has made
salmon the third most popular fish in America and comprises 22 percent of all
retail seafood counter sales. Many consumers eat more salmon today to avoid
overconsumption of beef and poultry, and to benefit from anti-cancer and
anti-heart disease properties of oily fish. However, analysis of U.S.
government data found that farmed salmon are likely the most PCB-
contaminated protein source in the current U.S. food supply. Approximately
800,000 U.S. adults have an increased cancer risk by eating PCB-
contaminated salmon. Farmed salmon are fattened with ground fishmeal and
fish oils that are high in PCBs. As a result, salmon farming operations that
produce inexpensive fish unnaturally concentrate PCBs. Furthermore, farmed
salmon contains 52 percent more fat than wild salmon, according to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.RELEVANT LAWS
ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION ACT (1965): Authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior to enter into agreements with states and other non-
federal interests to conserve, develop, and enhance the anadromous fish (fish
that migrate from the sea to freshwater to spawn) resources of the United
States.MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT (1972): Allowed for the creation of U.S.
marine sanctuaries—federally designated areas within United States waters
that protect areas of the marine environment with special conservation,
recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archeological, scientific,
educational, or aesthetic qualities.MAGNUSON FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT