Several months ago, in my volunteer work as a board member of the Adoptive Families Association of BC (AFABC), I unexpectedly found information that made me look back and re-think the salmon farming controversy from a perspective I missed when I was in the industry: the Alaskan marketing perspective.
Looking for possibilities for grant funding for the AFABC, I came across the $190 million dollar "Wild Salmon Ecosystems" Initiative of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, based in San Francisco, Calif. At first I thought, "Wow! If they've got $190 million for wild salmon, imagine what they might be able to do for foster children waiting to get adopted!" We seem to have better programs for our wild salmon than for the 1,200 B.C. children who are wait-listed for adoption. If I'm not mistaken, we spend more money in Canada on endangered species than on finding families for the 20,000 Canadian foster children who are wait-listed to become adopted by a family.
Alaskan Marketing Behind Salmon Farming Controversy?
CANADA - Having worked in the salmon farming industry during 2002 and 2003, I am well aware of the environmental impacts of salmon farming. And like most people, I feel that the recent escapes and recent deaths of sea lions in Clayoquot Sound are unacceptable, writes Vivian Krause.