Local biologist fights against fish farming by walking to Victoria

Judith Lavoie
March 21, 2010
The Province

One of the most ferocious opponents of salmon farms in areas used by migrating wild fish is hoping to mobilize support by walking from Sointula to Victoria.

Biologist Alexandra Morton, who has fought for years against open-net salmon pens in the Broughton Archipelago, is planning to start the walk on Earth Day, April 22, and finish on Mother's Day, May 9. Along the route, Morton plans to speak to interested groups and collect signatures on a petition asking the federal government to use the Fisheries Act to protect wild fish.

"We cannot match the corporate fish-farm PR machine, nor their lobbying power. So I am simply inviting people to make themselves visible by joining us on foot, electronically and by mail," she said.

Morton, who was told yesterday she will receive an honorary degree from Simon Fraser University for her work linking sea-lice infestation in wild salmon to fish farming, says she has evidence sea lice at fish farms are becoming drug-resistant.

Read the full story in The Province

Read related stories in:

• The Oceanside Star; March 22, 2010; "Morton journey to highlight salmon plight"
• The Times Colonist; "March 19, 2010; Fish-farm foe to walk the talk"
• The Courier Islander; March 19, 2010; "An honor not lightly given'
• The Courier Islander; March 15, 2010; Sointula to Victoria walk planned to 'get out' fish farms.