Environmentalism gone amok
Anti-salmon farming activists in British Columbia set off a heated debate that result in the suggestion of death threats
FishfarmingXpert, Opinion. Odd Grydeland, March 12, 2012
In true fashion, the extreme American environmentalist and salmon farming fear-monger Alexandra Morton denied what was a fact for everyone to see- on the evening television news. Ms. Morton has for years worked hard to instill a level of fear among anybody that in some fashion or the other are connected to the wild Pacific salmon of North America. And that means pretty well everybody living in this region of the world. She has on numerous occasions accused the salmon farmers in British Columbia of causing the imminent and final demise of wild salmon populations up and down the coast, and in the process set off a groundswell of opposition that is not justified based on sound science, but which is based on fear-mongering and junk science.
The latest evidence of how far Ms. Morton and her cohorts have driven members of the public in their hatred of salmon farming was displayed by a Canadian Television Network (CTV) report last week- one that Ms. Morton refused to believe. She is the obvious hero of the “Salmon are Sacred” web site, and last week the accompanying Facebook contained a series of comments about a high level parliamentary delegation from Norway that was visiting Ottawa, Victoria and Campbell River. One of the interests of this delegation was the participation by First Nations in British Columbia in the aquaculture industry, and this prompted a submission to the “Salmon are Sacred”’s Face book site that “We need a sniper...”. In other words, Norwegian salmon farmers or parliamentarians should be shot.
Alexandra Morton’s response to CTV was a familiar “I don’t believe it- just someone trying to make trouble”. And making trouble is definitely her expertise. Her statement that “We have never had a violent protest”, and that “we have a history of respectful and peaceful demonstrations” rings hollow when you look at the large, desecrated Norwegian flag that she and her small group of First Nation supporters display at gatherings all over the place. Statements like “We have ISAv and we don't want that” should be beyond the acceptance of someone who calls herself a “biologist” or even a “scientist”.
Other environmentalists that are enticing violence against the honest people working in the salmon farming industry are England’s Don Staniford and the Norwegian leader of the “Green Warriors” Kurt Oddekalv. In a recent statement following his deportation from Canada, Staniford said that "I've gone straight to work for the Green Warriors of Norway and straight to the belly of the beast here in Norway. Norway controls much of the global industry and I'm going to slay the dragon in its own lair."
Recent news coverage by CTV suggested that “The new job is significant because Kurt Oddekalv, leader of the Green Warriors of Norway, has described himself as the most "hard hitting environmental warrior" in his country. Oddekalv, who has led the Green Warriors of Norway since 1993, said he and Staniford should complement each other because of their experience. "I think joining us together will really make an international force," he added, noting his organization has 22 employees and has a budget of millions of dollars. Both are also planning another action for Vancouver in 2013, when Staniford will be allowed to return to Canada. "I'm going to continue this fight," he said. "The Green Warriors of Norway are going to take the battle, take the fight directly to the Norwegian-owned industry here in Norway, and we're also going to take the fight to the market place where Norwegian owned companies are selling their farmed salmon”.
Despite the illegal blockage of their bus by Alexandra Morton and her fellow protesters, the Norwegian delegation that came to Campbell River enjoyed their meeting with Chiefs, elders and other representatives from eight First Nations- seven of which work with the Norwegian salmon farming companies Marine Harvest, Mainstream and Grieg Seafood for mutual benefits.
For more on Envionmentalism gone amok read the PAA Blog from March 9, 2012:
Angry rabble should be held accountable for threats
PAA Blog, March 9, 2012
The “Salmon are Sacred” rabble showed their true colours on Thursday, when about 30 people did their best to intimidate, insult and verbally abuse a delegation of visitors from Norway and their hosts.
The delegation came to British Columbia to have a private meeting with First Nations, facilitated by the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association who’s membership includes several dozen coastal Nations. However, because of safety concerns prompted by comments made on the Salmon are Sacred site, suggesting the group should get a sniper to shoot the delegates , the venue was changed at the last minute.
Despite the precaution, when the delegation’s bus arrived at the new venue, protestors were there including former Greenpeacer Rod Marining , who made it his mission to block the bus, and then prevent the delegation from getting off the bus by blocking the door. The delegation had to phone for help from inside the bus before they could get off.
Despite their claims of being “peaceful,” the rabble was rude, aggressive, and disrespectful as they shouted hateful slogans at the delegation, and insulted the First Nations who accompanied them.
And later that evening, the rabble took to their Facebook page to spew more hatred towards the delegation and towards salmon farmers, posting more threatening comments, this time suggesting that firebombing salmon farms would be a good way to get rid of them.
Protest is a healthy part of democracy, and “Salmon are Sacred” followers are welcome to protest salmon farming. But their aggressive, rude and threatening behaviour is exactly that; rude and threatening. Despite what they may say, not one member of this group is interested in dialogue. In fact, the leader had distanced herself from any collaborative discussion with salmon farmers years ago.
This small group of angry people does not represent the majority of British Columbians. And the most unstable and violent members of this group need to be held accountable for their threats.
