http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/051217.htmlFrom Prince Rupert Environmental Society:
Strouts Point license is still sitting on the minister's desk. A decision is pending. The government is reconsidering. If it is issued, three huge fish farms could be in the Skeena estuary by spring 2006.
If there was ever a time to act, it is now. It looks like we might win.
We want to put up a billboard "Keep the Skeena Fish farm Free" in a high traffic area, from the ferry, just outside BC's capital - can you give a donation?
Many of those who have given to
Save our Skeena Salmon in the last two years did so as an extraordinary act (fish farms were scheduled to be built in 2004!), but as we enter year three and have to keep working, I hope you might step in and help to make sure we have enough money for our next moves.
The letter writing campaign, maps showing the proposed farm sites, our survey finding 71% opposed to fish farms and the showings of Call from a Coast resulted in some of our biggest victories. We even elected a pro moratorium member of parliament. People outside the region are starting to take notice - Skeena salmon are important!
We can do a lot with word of mouth and volunteers but it also takes money.
Not only is it election time again but there is a scientific campaign waging as well. A question brought up at DFO's post salmon season review in Prince Rupert last week showed that government scientists are buying into a recent pro aquaculture paper which the industry has been widely promoting but which is laden with errors. We have to get the scientific rebuttals distributed. We have to keep our website updated.
So far, when we have needed cash for hall rental or to print maps someone has come through with the money.
We are ready to book a billboard space but our bank balance is too low. Last month we canvassed the Prince Rupert civic election candidates and placed ads letting voters know which ones supported a moratorium. We have volunteers, energy, and knowledge about the issue - we just have to boost up the bank account again.
To donate now,
go to this page on our website.
If you would like a copy of our financial statement, more info, or would like to have input, just ask. The Prince Rupert Environmental Society is registered, has a long history and our treasurer Jean Martin keeps a close watch over the funds.
You can trust us; we are locally controlled, non partisan, science oriented and broad based (and pretty effective) and we care deeply for our precious salmon.
All our efforts and funds are going towards keeping these farms out of the Skeena's wild salmon migration routes. So far so good, but the industry hasn't given up.
Please take out a membership in the Society. Support from you and others like you, from local First Nations villages to major European centres, really strengthens our voice.
It is only $5.00 and you can do it easily by going to the website above, click on "take action" on the sidebar and then "donate". At the end of the transaction there is a box to leave a note; just specify "membership".
Sincerely Luanne Roth,
President,
Prince Rupert Environmental Society Phone: 250-627-4201
Email:
rothl@citytel.netPO Box 10
Prince Rupert BC
Canada V8J 3P4
Webmaster's note: Luanne Roth's article on Skeen salmon and proposed fish farms was featured in our May 2005 editorial.
Click here to read it.
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Topic: The Fate of the Skeena Salmon and Steelhead (Read 1152 times)