New PAA billboard conveys pride of BC salmon farmers

New PAA billboard conveys pride of BC salmon farmers - CANADA - PAA reminds aquaculture committee to hear workers' voices - Positive Aquaculture Awareness (PAA), a grassroots organization representing aquaculture workers and their families, today announced the placement of its second "Proud to be a Salmon Farmer" billboard along the Pat Bay highway in Victoria. The first billboard is located in Nanaimo.

"There are 4000 workers in the salmon farming sector that are extremely proud of the work they do day in and day out," said Ian Roberts, President, PAA.

"We want to communicate that pride and environmental responsibility through this billboard campaign," said Roberts.

The billboard, which includes the photo of a Campbell River-based salmon farmer, is designed to elicit attention from people traveling between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

"We're aware the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture is beginning its work, and we want the Committee to recognize how vital a healthy and growing aquaculture sector is to BC coastal communities and First Nations," said Roberts.

"This industry is about people, in particular, it's an industry that employs a majority of women, who rely on the sector to support their families and maintain their livelihoods," said Leanne Brunt, PAA Vice President.

"As the Committee begins its research, it's important they hear from the thousands of BC salmon farmers that make this industry work and have invested so much effort in ensuring it grows," said Brunt.

"There are so many dedicated aquaculture employees who are working responsibly to ensure a sustainable sector that takes pressure off the wild fishery while providing consumers with a healthy, affordable food product that's available year-round," said Roberts.

"We want this Committee to pay close attention to the voices of BC's aquaculture workers and their families and develop recommendations that will see this industry prosper for the benefit of all British Columbians," said Roberts.

The FishSite News Desk