In last month’s Wharfside, Diane Morrison defined “health” for us and our salmon definitely fit the definition. Marine Harvest salmon are healthy; packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. It is then

the responsibility of my department to take healthy fish and process and package them safely.

To put what we do into perspective, we produce over 500,000 meals each and every day. Each meal has to be harvested, processed, and shipped in the safest possible way.

First, we harvest our salmon humanely and ensure each fish is “locked in time” so to speak - quality is maintained as the clock is now ticking. Only seconds after swimming in the net pen, our fish are placed into an ice-cold slurry, which helps to quickly lower the core temperature of the fish down to zero degrees Celsius in less than four hours. This quick chill slows the rigor process, slows the growth of food borne bacteria/pathogens, and slows the natural process of spoilage. This step is critical to the shelf life, quality, safety, and wholesomeness of the food we produce.

The fish are then quickly pumped from the harvest boat through the process flow at

our processing plants without increasing temperature, without adding any food spoilage bacteria or pathogens, and without damaging them. To accomplish this, the process has to be fast. We use specialized equipment and trained staff to quickly eviscerate the salmon, grade them, box them on fresh ice, and load them into cooler trucks for the trip to Vancouver. The salmon have to maintain their cold temperature throughout the entire process: from harvest boat to box in a matter of minutes. On a typical work day, a truck of fresh salmon leaves the Port Hardy Plant every 60 minutes.

Exceptional plant hygiene is also a key factor in the process. Special footwear is provided to slip over your shoes upon entering the office area for a simple reason - to keep the outside out! Prior to entering the process areas, each worker or visitor receives clean coveralls, and personal protective equipment such as earplugs, hairnets, goggles, and gloves. Hand washing is mandatory and people have commented that we are tougher than a hospital operating room! This may seem cumbersome, but it is all done to ensure a safe and healthy product is delivered to our customers.

All equipment and surfaces are randomly sampled and swabbed for further analysis by internal and external laboratories looking for any bacteria or pathogens that may cause concern to human health or product spoilage. The plant is also

In this issueFood safety is a priority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Salmon get a clean bill of health in Pacific Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Family fishing trip? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Motorcycles, boats and dogs: portrait of a West Coast fish farmer . . . . . . . 3

Thanks from Shito-Ryu Karate . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Employee Recognition Celebration . . . . . . . 4

Congrats Phil! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Atlantic Veterinary College “delisted” as OIE Reference Laboratory for ISA . . . . . . 5

The lovely outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

How do you feed 400 people on a salmon farm? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Safety ‘InSites’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Bubba’s passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

BC salmon farmers ready for tours . . . . . . . . 8

Join us for a charitable cause! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Marine Harvest slo-pitch teams ready to go! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Please email comments, articles and ideas to Ian Roberts,

Communications Manager at ian.roberts@marineharvest.com

Comments about this Newsletter?

Food safety is a priority

Did you Know?In 1972, a group of scientists reported that you could cure the common cold by freezing the big toe. Did you also know…the scientists were wrong.

Trivia time! Humans, primates and ________

are the only creatures in nature with fingerprints?Answer on Page 4

By Dave Pashley,

Processing Director and

Plant Manager

Wharfside July 2013

Continued on page 2

Researchers have confirmed no sign of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) in salmon in British Columbia or Washington state waters.

Two separate studies, initiated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFG) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), found no evidence of ISA in thousands of samples of wild, hatchery or farm-raised salmon.

Testing was in response to an erroneous press release from Simon Fraser University in October 2011 which stated two of its researchers had confirmed a “lethal Atlantic virus found in Pacific salmon”.

In 2012, the CFIA tested 4,175 wild and hatchery-raised salmon samples for ISA, as well as infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) or infectious pancreatic necrosis

(IPN). All tests were negative. The CFIA is expecting to test an additional 5,000 samples in 2013.

All sampling, testing and response activities associated with the CFIA surveillance initiative are based on internationally recognized science. They are also consistent with international guidelines and national aquatic animal health requirements. (CFIA website, June 11, 2013)

The WDFG did not find ISA in over 900 samples of wild and hatchery produced Pacific salmon, as well as farm-raised Atlantic salmon. (WDFG website, May 30, 2013)

BC salmon farmers continue to regularly test farm-raised Atlantic for several fish diseases,

including ISA. Samples from more than 8,000 farm-raised BC salmon that have been tested over the past decade were negative for ISA virus.

While ISA may be harmful to farm-raised Atlantic salmon, it is not harmful to humans.

WDF&G press release: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/research/projects/salmon_anemia/

CFIA press release: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/news-releases/2013-06-11/eng/1370961820996/1370961836434

equipped with metal detectors; that means every box is scanned before it leaves the line. We do not add anything to the salmon that doesn’t belong there.

Audits, audits and more audits! We are audited at random and (at minimum)

annually by government and third party auditors that ensure we are walking the talk. Both plants, in Port Hardy and Klemtu, have passed the Canadian Foods Inspection Agency audits, the Food and Drug Administration audits, and most recently at Port Hardy Processing a third party audit

for Best Aquaculture Practices - with flying colours.

I am pleased to be a part of the Marine Harvest team that provides our customers with salmon that are healthy, are harvested humanely, and are processed safely.

Salmon get a clean bill of health in Pacific Northwest

2 MarineHarvestCanada.com

If you live in Campbell River and are looking for a nice fishing spot for the family, you can now visit the Echo Lake fishing wharf. It was recently installed by the local Fish and Wildlife Association with the help of Marine Harvest.

Family fishing trip?

Food safety is a priority Continued

By Gina Forsyth

Boats are a way of life for Kerry Leech. Not only does he depend on them to transport him to and from his work site, he’s also lived on one for 17 years. Kerry began working with Marine Harvest in 1993 and has been a Farm Technician in the Broughton Archipelago since 2005.

Although Victoria is technically Kerry’s home town, his family moved to Campbell River when he was six months old. Kerry’s three older sisters and brother, as well as his mother, still call the community home, as does he.

Kerry graduated from Robron high school in 1984, and three years later, after earning his open water dive ticket, began his career in the aquaculture industry. Kerry’s first site was Pacific Aqua Farm’s (PAFF) Horne Point, near the northern end of Sonora Island. “I was born to dive,” he says, adding that he furthered his dive education by becoming an instructor.

After leaving PAFF, Kerry landed at Paradise Bay Seafarms, where work continued to include a broad range of duties from feeding fish and diving to record keeping. “I spent a total of more than seven years at Cyrus Rocks farm site,” says Kerry. By 2005, Kerry had found his way to Potts Bay, on Midsummer Island in the Broughton Archipelago, where he remains.

“I love being in nature. I see so many whales on the crew boat and at the farm, and there are always eagles and deer around the site that I never forget it’s a privilege to work outside”.

Away from the farm, Kerry bought a Russian motorcycle, a Ural, in 2010. “It has a sidecar, and I have chains for it too”. The plan was for Ozone, Kerry’s beloved dog, to ride in the sidecar. “I’ve always liked motorcycling but I like dogs too but I

couldn’t do both at the same time until now”. Unfortunately, Ozone, who holds a special place in Kerry’s heart, passed away, and never had the chance to experience the open road with his owner.

Kerry currently lives on a 41 foot sailboat anchored at the government dock. “I can sleep through any sort of weather now,” he says with a smile.

Marine Harvest was nicely thanked at the Campbell River Shito-Ryu Karate Club’s annual beach barbeque – an important fundraiser for the club - for a donation of smoked salmon. Stephen Budgeon (left) of Marine Harvest was there to receive thanks from Shito-Ryu instructor Trudy Griffin and Sensei Roy Tippenhauer.

Motorcycles, boats and dogs: portrait of a West Coast fish farmer

Thanks from Shito-Ryu Karate

3MarineHarvestCanada.com

Kerry Leech, Farm Technician

4 MarineHarvestCanada.com Answer: Koalas

Hundreds of Marine Harvest staff from all regions gathered in Campbell River last month to celebrate our successes and our people. After a delicious lunch, Alf-Helge Aarskog (CEO) and Vincent Erenst (Managing Director, Canada) inspired the crowd to lead the “Blue Revolution”, which was followed by several honours awarded to operations and staff in several categories and for long-term service.

** To view many more photos and awards descriptions, visit (and “Like”!)

our May 31st posting on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MHCanada

Employee Recognition Celebration

Rookie of the YearCorey Fitzgerald, Paymaster

Rookie of the YearNicky Barchuk, Farm Technician II

Continued on page 5(missing: Spirit Award Mike Ralph, Farm Technician III)

5MarineHarvestCanada.com

Above and BeyondJason Swartz, Site Manager

Community InvolvementRoger King, Logistics Coordinator

Manager of the YearStephen Hall, Operations/Maintenance Manager

Unsung Hero Paul Kendrick, Freshwater Transport Manager

Leadership Award Judy Andrews, Processing Leadhand

Rockstar Processor of the YearPhoebe Abenojar

Congratulations to Phil Heyward for his new appointment to assistant manager at Mahatta East farm site.

Members of the Outdoor Writers of Canada were in Campbell River for a conference and asked if they could visit a Marine Harvest farm. Of course! The group is pictured at our Hardwicke site.

Congrats Phil!

The lovely outdoors

Employee Recognition Celebration Continued

On June 21, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported to SeafoodIntelligence.com that “In May 2013 The World Assembly of national Delegates of the OIE (178 countries) approved by unanimity the delisting of the OIE Reference Laboratory for Infectious Salmon Anaemia located at Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in Canada on the basis of the results of the OIE audit conducted with independent experts from 31 July to 2 August 2012.”

For more information visit “Salmon Facts are Sacred” blog at http://blog.farmfreshsalmon.org/?p=416.

Atlantic Veterinary College “delisted” as OIE Reference Laboratory for ISA

6 MarineHarvestCanada.com

Since the Van Isle 360 race began over a decade ago, the 6th day in the two week race has always stopped at a Marine Harvest Canada farm near Sayward to rest the night. The BC Salmon Farmers Association and MHC also provide a delicious salmon barbeque meal for all racers – feeding over 400 hungry racers is no small feat! At this year’s event - held last month - we also managed to raise a few thousand dollars for important charities and associations in the village of Sayward. All good!

Much thanks to Andy Haslam and his staff for their wonderful welcome for the racers!

** More photos on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MHCanada.

How do you feed 400 people on a salmon farm?

7MarineHarvestCanada.com

By Dan Pattison, Health and Safety Advisor

Since the launch of The Red Zone Project in November 2012, we have, as a company eliminated 88% of the hazards identified during the Brainsafe Program. This result is evidence that every employee has a voice that can be heard throughout the company.The ground-up Brainsafe mentality has had a very positive effect on the

Company. Employees are “doing their 50%” by utilizing the Eye Check process and “being vocal” and by sharing previously unidentified hazards which have been added to the 2013 Red Zone and are being addressed company wide.View the Red Zone at: sharepoint /H&S/Projects/RED ZONE Project/1 - RED ZONE Project

Safety ‘InSites’

It is very sad to announce the passing of our devoted friend Bubba. Bubba was featured in our April 2013 issue of Wharfside as he was looking for a retirement home after his dedicated career at Glacial Creek farm. He received many offers for a nice home and was taken in by Clint and Rebecca Young, but had recently become immobile from issues with his legs. He passed peacefully with friends at Greenwood Animal Hospital in Campbell River on June 22.

Bubba’s passing

How do you feed 400 people on a salmon farm? Continued

bit.ly/MHCanadatwitter.com/MHCanada facebook.com/MHCanada

8 MarineHarvestCanada.com

Each Thursday from June to September, the BC Salmon Farmers Association offers public salmon farm tours. The tour takes passengers through the Seymour Narrows, past fantastic British Columbia scenery and often wildlife, to a salmon farm where members of the public can visit with farmers and learn more about how this important business works.  Tours depart from Discovery Launch Water Taxis in Campbell River at 9 a.m. and return at approximately 2 p.m. Cost is $50 and includes lunch. Advance booking is required. To save a spot, phone (250) 286-1636 ext. 224 or visit http://www.salmonfarmers.org/farm-tours.

**Marine Harvest has a limited number of free passes available to employees. If interested, call Ian Roberts (Communications Manager) at 250-850-3276 (7256) for more information.

BC salmon farmers ready for tours

Cheer on your Marine Harvest peers at Willow Point Park in Campbell River on July 6th and 7th. We have entered four teams into the 17th annual Positive Aquaculture Awareness Slo-Pitch Tournament.

Teams confirmed are: MH “Stray Katz”, MH “Salmon Kings”, MH “UpChucks”, and MH “Something Fishy”.

Marine Harvest slo-pitch teams ready to go!

St Joseph’s Hospital Foundation / Y.A.N.A. 30-Mar-13 Vanier Centre, Courtenay 3-4pm

Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise 28-Apr-13 Marine Park, Comox 11am-5pm

Relay for Life, Canadian Cancer Society 25-May-13 PHSS, Port Hardy 6-8pm

CR Head Injury Support Society 29-May-13 Spirit Square, Campbell River 4-6pm

Beaver Lodge Lands Trust Committee 1-Jun-13 North Island College, CR 11am-1pm

Relay for Life, Canadian Cancer Society 8-Jun-13 Vanier School, Courtenay TBC

Comox Valley Kennel Club 9-Jun-13 Pacific Playgrounds, Black Creek 5-7pm

Campbell River Twinning Society 15-Jun-13 Spirit Square, CR 12-2pm

CR and North Island Transition Society 23-Jun-13 Nunns Creek Park, CR 4:30-7:30pm

Campbell River Dragon Boat Society 29-Jun-13 Dick Murphy Park, CR 12-1:30pm

BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund 1-Jul-13 Robert Ostler Park, CR 1-3pm

Campbell River Salmon Kings 6-Jul-13 Centennial Pool, CR 5:30-8pm

Vancouver Island Educational Alternatives Soc 14-Jul-13 Timberline School, CR 11am-1:30pm

Port Hardy Rotary / Hospital Foundation 7-Aug-13 Storries Beach, Port Hardy 4-8pm

Kiwanis Club of Courtenay 11-Aug-13 Simms Park, Courtenay 1-3:30 pm

Port McNeill Orca Fest / Harvest Food Bank 17-Aug-13 Port McNeill 12-4pm

Variety, the Children’s Charity 24-Aug-13 Tyee Chevrolet, CR 12-4pm

Volunteer Campbell River 7-Sep-13 Spirit Square, CR 11:30-2pm

SPCA Paws for a Cause 8-Sep-13 Nunns Creek Park, CR 12-2pm

Black Creek Community Association 13-Sep-13 Black Creek 6-8pm

Greenways Land Trust 21-Sep-13 Spirit Square, CR 11:30am-1:30pm

Tour de Rock, Port Hardy 22-Sep-13 Recreation Centre, Port Hardy 12-1:15pm

Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club 28-Sep-13 Bill Moore Park, Courtenay 12-2pm

Done!

Done!Done!Done!Done!Done!Done!

Done!Done!Done!

Join us for a charitable cause!Please visit the Marine Harvest team at any one of our barbeque fundraisers in July. All money raised from the sale

of our delicious salmon burgers goes directly to the charity listed below:

North Island Transition BBQ, Campbell River Relay for Life BBQ, Comox