Take Action to Save Wild Salmon - Let your grocers know!
Wildcanada.net Action Alert - 139
Thursday October 30, 2003

Take Action

The use of fish farms to raise large quantities of salmon has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. This aquaculture threatens to kill off wild salmon populations and damages the natural surrounding coastal habitat. Take action now at http://www.wildcanada.net/farmedanddangerous/fax.asp and request that seafood retailers Safeway and Whole Foods, along with their suppliers, provide only safe, natural and sustainable salmon.

A few quick facts about the dangers of salmon farming:

* Disease: High concentrations of fish in open net cage pens provide the perfect conditions for breeding disease. The density of fish within a farm can cause disease to rapidly spread throughout the farm and potentially to wild salmon populations.

* Antibiotics: Farmed salmon tested for antibiotic residue have been found to have higher levels than other farm animals. When people eat farmed salmon these residues can be passed on to them.

* Waste: There are currently over 85 open net cage fish farms operating in the coastal waters of British Columbia. The average salmon farm produces raw sewage roughly equal to a city of 500,000 people.

Despite the facts, the salmon farming industry is refusing to change their practices. Consequently, the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR) has been attempting to negotiate with grocery store chains and restaurants for over a year. The goal is to encourage a transition that will phase out the sale of farmed salmon to the public until the salmon farming industry reforms its practices. Many retailers, including some health and natural food stores, are refusing to listen to the facts.

Take action now at http://www.wildcanada.net/farmedanddangerous/fax.asp and send a letter to Safeway and Whole Foods, a sample of the stores that insist on selling farmed salmon. Tell them your concerns about farmed salmon and demand that they, and their suppliers, offer safe alternatives.

For more information check out http://www.farmedanddangerous.org

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