Reply To Biologist Alexandra Morton On Fate Of BC Wild Salmon

In my mind, the publication of hard scientific evidence in the peer reviewed Science magazine far supercedes the less believeable evidence from government biologists, and the way credible, independent scientists see it, unless drastic action is taken 'pronto' by the BC public, we may well see the extinction of serval species of wild salmon on the BC coast within a very short time period- I believe the Science magazine article, mentions four years. Whether it is four years, three, five or six is unknown, great uncertainty exists about the resilency of wild salmon to 'bounce back' once their population falls below a certain level. Therefore, the precautionary principle should be implemented, and that means that legislation, on the basis of persuasive science and probable risk of irreparable harm needs to immediately require that fish farm pens be pulled from the ocean as soon as possible. Indeed, if I may suggest, given the intransigence of the government, some parties (perhaps First Nations and others) need to rely on the evidence published in Science magazine (and elsewhere) to boldly apply for legal remedies, including an application to the Supreme Court for an injunction. That seems to me to be the forum for resolution of such a dispute - let the government trot out their 'experts' and their evidence, and let the other side do the same, allow vigourous cross examination, provide fair press coverage to keep the public informed, and let justice fall will it may- and may First Nations rise to legally protect their rights. In my mind it is a gross abuse of power for a Minister of the Crown (whether Federal or Provincial) to sanction economic activity by private corporate parties when persuasive scientific evidence is available showing the actual existence of damages to 'Crown property' namely the wild salmon, risk of probable damage to First Nations culture and economy, and, the probable (not just possible) risk of extinction faced by wild salmon from that economic activity. The Crown has a duty to protect wild salmon from third party damage, not just because it owes a fiduciary duty and a duty of honor to First Nations, who historically have been dependent on salmon as one pillar of their economy, but because 'intergenerational equity' - requires justice for future generations, and more importantly, because ecosytem integrity and the high reliance of other wild species on wild salmon require that the Crown step up to the plate. I am not sure what is more tragic: the imminent extinction of wild salmon of the west coast of British Columbia; the ill-advised legislation authorizing ocean based fish farming when other countries have turned away from that policy direction, or the failure and/or refusal of massive numbers of citizens (and civil society groups) to rise to the challenge to create a 'space' to diligently confront, via legal action and civil disobedience if deemed necessary, the arrogance and ignorance of a 'provincially-minded' government whose legislative agenda on this, and other issues, is considerably beholded to the corporate sector. Soon May 12, 2009 - BC election day will be upon us, the way things are going now, I foresee the re-election of the BC Liberals. Maybe we are a people that no longer deserve to have wild salmon amongst us. If that be so, what kind of humans living within what kind of society have we become? This is a non-partisan issue. This is an issue, where we, individually and as a society, could rise to express more compassionate respect and mindfulness for the needs of wild salmon (and the species that depend upon them), and the intergenerational cries for justice from generations of Canadians not yet born, rather then yielding to our greed, our materialism, our consumer distractions, our apathy, indifference, our political divisiveness, and other vices and foibles that from time to time challenge our identities as 'modern, civilized' citizens. If there ever was a time for you and I, and we, to rise to the occassion in defence of wild salmon, in defence of the equality rights of your children not yet born to see wild salmon, to taste it, to joyfully witness the journey of wild salmon from stream to ocean and back again - this is the moment. Either we will tragically succumb to history whose script is written by major corporations and elitist politicians who dance to a corporate tune, politicians who believe less in democracy and more in authoritarianism, or we shall rise, as citizens, and make a new history, a more just future, where we all live with a much smaller ecological footprint upon Mother Nature - who nurtures us all, albiet due to the intercession of unjust laws, not equally. If you wish to dialogue with me I can be contacted via bcpolitics.ca - thank you.