Why I’m opposed to salmon farms

I oppose AquaCon’s plan to build Maryland’s first land-based salmon farm in Cecil County (“After scrapping its salmon farm on the Eastern Shore, company sets sights on Cecil County,” Sept. 5). In partnership with entities including University of Maryland’s Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, AquaCon will produce more than 10 million fish annually. The plan boasts cutting-edge sustainability initiatives that will extract millions of gallons of freshwater from the Susquehanna River, then dump upwards of 2.3 million gallons a day of treated “purge” water back into the river. The Susquehanna River supplies half of Chesapeake Bay’s fresh water. To appreciate the scale at which the plan will consume this precious resource, consider that the freshwater needed to produce one land-based salmon filet is equal to the amount of freshwater consumed by one person in a whole year.

Raising land-based salmon using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) has proven to be far less predictable and profitable than initially projected. Atlantic Sapphire, the largest such operation in the world, lost $56 for every pound of salmon (sold at less than $5 a pound) they produced on their main farm in Florida in 2020. System failures and operational errors resulted in multiple and complete die-offs of its salmon in 2021 and 2022. RAS are highly complex and costly to maintain, requiring constant monitoring of water filtration, oxygenation, and many other factors needed to raise fish on land. When a company experiences pressures on its financial performance, it starts cutting corners on sustainability initiatives.

I am also concerned about how AquaCon will dispose of its waste product beyond selling it as ingredients in nutritional supplements and pet foods, according to its website. The amount of waste that results from salmon farms is considerable.

For example, Chile, which has a population of more than 19 million people, must resolve the daily amount of nitrogen released by its salmon farms, an amount akin to the waste of 9 million people.

I reject the corporate-controlled, industrial model of salmon land farms for these reasons. It prioritizes profit over the ecological health of people and wildlife. AquaCon will be no different.

— Sue Mi Ko, Gaithersburg

Harris flips position on banning plastic straws

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris just revealed her latest flip-flop and a far-reaching one impacting American lifestyles at that (“What do marijuana, the death penalty and fracking have in common? Harris shifted positions on them,” Aug. 16). In 2020, she supported a ban on plastic straws. She now says if you like your plastic straws, you can keep them! I am so overwhelmed with joy.

— Michael Ernest, Catonsville

A golden opportunity for Baltimore’s Central Park

Having grown up in Canton and lived near Baltimore most of my life I am in agreement with David H. Gleason’s commentary and would like to comment on other aspects of harbor development (“Harborplace development throws Baltimore’s history to the wayside,” Aug. 23). A statement in the first paragraph, “building on city park land,” is what prompted my personal response to the opinion piece.

Why must everything in Baltimore have a direct or immediate (versus indirect) monetary result? My wife and I recently spent several days in Manhattan. In addition to Broadway shows, we had a wonderful time visiting Central Park, a significant New York City attraction available free of charge. This attracts visitors who support local businesses. Imagine the value of this property located in the midst of skyscrapers. Baltimore would love to develop this! Why must we have additional office space. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m under the impression current office space is underutilized. Not only that, but I’m sure downtown hotels would enjoy the increase in traffic. I recently read a significant hotel near Camden Yards is losing money.

Why not make the entire region, including the Inner Harbor, Baltimore’s Central Park? Imagine dining in Little Italy or other local restaurants, walking across the pedestrian bridge for a concert, then a visit to the aquarium, a walk through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor park (without an obstructed view), culminating with a visit to the Maryland Science Center. By now we’re hungry again and looking for a restaurant near Federal Hill. After a hotel stay, a visit to Fort McHenry is ideal for day two.

This is the golden opportunity Baltimore would waste simply for the sake of a direct and immediate monetary result. A gorgeous park-like setting with multiple attractions would put Baltimore back on the map long term, while bolstering local business. If developed as proposed, would I want to visit and spend my money? No.

— Richard Piniecki, Perry Hall