Stop the Spread of Fish Farms in British Columbia

Despite evidence that factory farmed fish in British Columbia presents a serious threat to wild Pacific salmon, the wider marine environment, human health, and the welfare of the fish, the BC government has decided to lift the moratorium on new salmon farms on April 30.

Evidence from reputable scientists worldwide shows repeatedly that wherever factory fish farming is practiced with salmon, the marine environment and wild salmon stocks are damaged. Raising exotic species like Atlantic salmon in open netcages in BC's coastal waters under overcrowded conditions and feeding them a diet of fish protein (3-5 pounds of wild fish are needed to produce one pound of farmed salmon), antibiotics and other drugs, presents unnecessary risks to wild fish populations including the spread of disease and competition for habitat from escaped farm fish. The chronic use of antibiotics to control disease outbreaks can present threats to human health.

If you live in British Columbia (or even if you don't), please contact BC Premier Gordon Campbell at: 250-387-1715 (Phone) / 250-387-0087 (Fax) / [email protected] and tell him that you oppose lifting the moratorium on new salmon farms. Please also contact the following officials:

Stan Hagan, Minister of Sustainable Resource Management
[email protected]
Fax: 250-356-8273
Phone: 250-356-9076

Joyce Murray, Minister of Water, Land & Air Protection
[email protected]
Fax: 250-387-1356
Phone: 250-387-1187

John van Dongen, Minister of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
[email protected]
Fax: 250-387-1522
Phone: 250-387-102