POSITIVE AQUACULTURE AWARENESS
NEWS RELEASE
BC men and women of aquaculture work to protect our oceans
April 22, 2010, Campbell River - BC aquaculture workers and suppliers are voicing their displeasure at a well-funded activist who claims that BC salmon farmers are not protecting the ocean. Positive Aquaculture Awareness (PAA) is a grassroots group representing the thousands of men and women employed in BC's important aquaculture sector.
"It's ironic that fish farming started in BC decades ago so we could take pressure of our wild fish stocks," says PAA President, Cory Percevault. "Thousands of people are now employed doing just that - taking pressure off wild fish stocks and providing a very healthy food choice."
"It's a shame that a well-funded activist like Alexandra Morton is targeting British Columbia's men and women who work in aquaculture", says Robin Muzzerall, an aquaculture broodstock specialist. "We share the same passion for the preservation of wild fish and work hard to protect our oceans, whether at work or at home."
PAA was formed in 1998 to raise awareness of BC's aquaculture industry and to challenge the myths that are repeated by activists.
"Salmon farming employs 6000 British Columbians and many of us are biologists, scuba divers and aquaculture graduates. I love the ocean and aquaculture creates a way to mix pleasure and work," adds Muzzerall. "I believe the ocean needs the support of aquaculture to help protect wild seafood from exploitation and I'm proud to be a part of the solution".
To showcase what the men and women of BC's aquaculture industry do daily to protect the ocean at work and home, PAA is posting a personal story on its website each day of the planned protest by Alexandra Morton. These stories can be found at www.FarmFreshSalmon.org/blog/3 and will be updated daily from April 22nd to May 8th.
"We don't have the backing of large US Foundations to promote our voice", says Muzzerall. "So this is our simple way of responding to these unwarranted criticisms. The only thing we may be guilty of is not speaking up for ourselves enough."
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