It is with disbelief and horror that I pass on the news the Norwegian operators in BC will be raising even more Atlantic salmon in BC's waters.
Ottawa has given these companies a licence that allows them to use fish carrying viruses, even though section 56 of our Fisheries Act prohibits transfer of fish carrying a disease agent that may be harmful to the protection and conservation of fish. I am in court right now fighting this.
A friend has asked us to attend a local Superstore and educate people about farmed salmon. I received his press release at nearly the same time as I got the news about the fate of this coast - sold off for use to raise fish for Norwegian companies.
So I pass the information on to you, in case you want to let markets know how you feel about them buying these farmed salmon from the companies using BC waters. How you feel about the Prime Minister completely disregarding the $26 million Cohen Commission we all paid for that made 11 recommendations specific to protecting wild salmon from salmon farms.
Media Advisory
Net-Pen Farmed Salmon Boycott
Where: Superstores across B.C. (Chilliwack,
Duncan, North Vancouver, Kamloops and Cranbrook)
When: Saturday, January 18, 2014
Time: 12 Noon – 1 pm
Farmed Atlantic salmon boycott rallies will be held across B.C. to educate the public about contamination levels so high that SeaChoice, Oceanwise and Monterey Bay Aquarium SeafoodWatch have all red-listed this product to avoid. This is especially important for pregnant women and children. At the rallies, pamphlets showing what exactly is in farmed salmon will be handed out: wide fat bars where toxins accumulate contain DDT, which is linked to breast cancer and gets passed on to babies through breastfeeding; viruses such as salmon influenza type virus, and a novel reovirus; insecticides such as endosulfan, banned due to high toxicity; GMO corn and animal by-products used in salmon feed; PCBs, dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, immune dysfunction and nervous system damage, and more! Armed with this information, with links to get more information from credible sources, Superstore customers will likely buy wild salmon instead of farmed Atlantic salmon grown in open-net pens in our coastal waters.
“Our experience with the Superstores in Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Duncan, North Vancouver and Nanaimo have been very cooperative,” stated Eddie Gardner. “These are peaceful rallies, respectful of property and people, and we are hopeful that all Superstores will afford the same respectful cooperation to the boycott rallies across B.C.,” added Mr. Gardner, Boycott Coordinator.
“We are surprised that the Director of Social Responsibility at Loblaw’s is still ignoring our request made last year to remove farmed Atlantic salmon from Superstore coolers,” added Angela Superneault, member of the Chilliwack Boycott Chapter. “People notice that Superstore is proud to promote the sale of hormone-
and antibiotic-free beef and pork, yet look at the contamination levels in farmed salmon,” Shawna Green said, adding that Superstore needs to be consistent and remove farmed Atlantic salmon from their shelves. Superstores come under the overall management of Loblaw’s.
The aquaculture industry remains plagued with dangerous mutating viruses, pollution and parasites – forcing them to use chemicals and antibiotics to protect their farmed fish grown in open-net cages, many of which are placed on the migration routes of the endangered Fraser River sockeye salmon.
For more information:
Eddie Gardner, Net-Pen Farmed Salmon Boycott Coordinator
singingbear@shaw.ca
604-792-0867
www.salmonAlert.org
http://alexandramorton.typepad.com/10_reasons_not_to_eat_far/