War of the Worlds
Ian Roberts, Courier-Islander, April 19, 2013
Re: "Want to see wild salmon?" (April 17 Courier-Islander)
I would never stop anyone from seeing a movie they might enjoy.
So, if Colleen Campbell and her friends really want to watch a locally produced documentary called Salmon Confidential, then please do. Bring popcorn.
But for the majority of the population, who have retained their ability to think critically, it's fair that they know some important facts about this film.
Salmon Confidential has been produced for a reason; because the story line in this movie failed to impress experts at the Cohen Inquiry into the Fraser River Sockeye. In fact, after hearing witness testimony from the main actor, Alexandra Morton, Judge Bruce Cohen concluded that the "data presented during this Inquiry did not show that salmon farms were having a significant negative impact on Fraser River sockeye" (Final Report, Volume 3, p. 24, column 2).
This conclusion - from a two-year, $26 million scientific Inquiry and the expert testimony of numerous fish health professionals and biologists - did not sit well with Alexandra Morton.
So, her story is repeated again in this one hour movie. The difference this time is; her story goes unchallenged. Add some dubious editing, testimony manipulation, character assassination, misrepresented lab reports and omission of vital facts about salmon migration and fish health, and you have a very compelling yet completely fictional story.
I would never stop anyone from seeing a movie they might enjoy. But just like our grandparents when hearing War of the Worlds for the first time - we should be forewarned that it's fiction.
If you want to learn more about the errors and false claims made in this documentary, please visit Salmon Confidential Exposed at SalmonConfidential.com.
Ian Roberts Marine Harvest Canada Campbell River
Ian's letter was in response to the following:
Want to see wild salmon?
By Colleen Campbell, Courier-Islander April 17, 2013
http://www.canada.com/Want+wild+salmon/8253603/story.html
If you want to see wild salmon, if you own a boat and plan on going fishing, do see the documentary Salmon Confidential.
Our federal and provincial governments have all the resources and data to fully inform the public and make the protection of our ocean and wild fish a priority, but restrict the voice of science unless it fits an agenda of pipelines and aquaculture.
And check out the rules for catching a halibut...ridiculous!
Now is the time to speak up...after that, go fishing.
Colleen Campbell Gold River
For your interest, here is a CI article in the same issue Ian's letter was published.
Roscovich's controversial film showing Monday at Timberline Theatre
Neil Cameron, Campbell River Courier-Islander
Published: Friday, April 19, 2013
She grew up in Campbell River, attended Kevin Harrison's media program at Carihi, spent a lot of her youth on a salmon farm, and now Twyla Roscovich returns to a town divided.
Roscovich's controversial film Salmon Confidential will be shown Monday night at 7 p.m. at Campbell River Timberline Theatre.
The film, which is very critical of the fish farming industry on the coast, has been met with cheers and jeers.
It films anti-fish farm activist Alexandra Morton and her continuing battle with open net cage salmon farms in the ocean.
The film is being sponsored by the Timberline Earth Club, the Campbell River Environmental Committee and the Campbell River Estuary Protection Group.
The film is exceptionally well done, but the 'other side' in this most contentious of issues does not have a chance to respond.
In that and given the timing of the its release, it could be described as one long political attack ad where the target of the message cannot reply.
Salmon farmers say the film is inaccurate and even doctored.
Whatever the case may be, there are aspects in this well-produced film that should give everyone food for thought.
Whatever your taste, in the issue, may be.
