VICTORIA -  The Wilderness Committee is organizing a march on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today, in order to highlight the government’s inadequate response to a positive test result for the deadly fish virus Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA).

From December 15-19, the Cohen Inquiry is opening for three extra days of hearings just on the impacts that ISA virus may be having on wild salmon in BC. Leading up to this important hearing, concerned citizens all over BC are organizing a day of action to highlight the widespread public concern. 

“While the US government took immediate steps to address this serious concern by passing legislation for a serious investigation, the Canadian government denied the presence of ISA on our coast and refused to take it seriously,” said Tria Donaldson, the Pacific Coast Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee.

“What is worse is that a leaked scientific paper shows that the Canadian government found over 100 cases of ISA in 2002. And yet they did nothing with this alarming information - shockingly they are still doing nothing.”

The protest will take place outside of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) field office (4250 Commerce Circle). On December 14th at 12 noon, we will meet at Copley Park (corner of Parkridge and Vanalman) in Saanich and then walk to DFO for a peaceful demonstration.

Speakers will include Don Staniford from the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture, Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner at the Wilderness Committee, and Caitlyn Vernon, Great Bear Rainforest Campaigner at Sierra Club.