Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Media Advisory

Attention News/Assignment Editors:

Vancouver, British Columbia – Concerned citizens and environmentalists will be holding a rally this Thursday on the steps of the BC Supreme Court to support biologist Alexandra Morton and co-petitioners who are contesting the validity of BC government jurisdiction over the regulation of salmon farms. They argue that the federal government should regulate salmon farms and strongly protect wild salmon stocks.

WHEN: Thursday, October 2nd, 1 to 2 PM.
WHERE: BC Supreme Court steps at corner of Nelson and Hornby Streets in Downtown Vancouver, BC.
WHAT: Rally with short speeches and props.
WHO: The rally is being co-organized by concerned citizens and the Wilderness Committee.
WHY: While salmon farming regulation is being shared by both the provincial and federal governments, neither level of government has taken responsibility to protect wild salmon stocks from sea lice and disease transfers from salmon farms. Because of this, wild salmon defender Alexandra Morton and co-petitioners Pacific Coast Salmon Society, Wilderness Tourism Association, Area E Gillnetters Association and Fishing Vessel Owners Association, with lawyer Gregory McDade, are taking court action to move all salmon farming regulation into federal government responsibility.

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For further information:
Geoff Senichenko, Research Director, Wilderness Committee — 604.683.8220 or 604.992.3099