For immediate release – Friday, March 28, 2008

Wilderness Committee asserts all salmon farms need to be shut down to save wild salmon from extinction.

Vancouver, BC – The Wilderness Committee commends Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Pat Bell, for implementing a moratorium on salmon farms along the north coast of British Columbia, but is disappointed that no action is being taken for the mid and south coasts to protect dwindling wild salmon stocks. Juvenile salmon are presently migrating past sea lice-infested salmon farms.

“The wild salmon populations on the mid and south coasts are in decline and the science is telling us that sea lice infestations from salmon farms are contributing to their downward trend,” stated Geoff Senichenko, Wilderness Committee Research Director. “To protect wild salmon the BC government must shut down ALL salmon farming along the entire BC coast.”

Salmon populations in Oregon and California have plummeted in recent years, and an entire sport and commercial fishery closure may be implemented there this year. However, instead of taking protective action on the mid and south coasts, like that taken for the north coast, the BC government this week approved another two salmon farming licenses, one new and one renewal, along the south coast.

“More action needs to be taken in BC, especially along the south coast, to avoid the collapse of our ailing wild salmon stocks. By implementing the north coast moratorium, the government has accepted that there are problems with salmon farming and its negative effects on wild salmon,” said Senichenko. “If the BC government seriously cares about protecting wild salmon, they will immediately stop approving salmon farming licenses, and shut down all existing salmon farms too. Nothing less is acceptable for the future survival of our wild salmon.”

The Wilderness Committee is urging the BC government to implement a complete ban on salmon farming along the entire BC coast to protect our precious wild salmon populations.

-30-

For more information or photos, visit wildernesscommittee.org or contact:
Geoff Senichenko, Wilderness Committee Research Director, 604-683-8220
or Andy Miller, Wilderness Committee Staff Scientist, 604-992-3099 (cell)