Biologist Alexandra Morton and filmmaker Twyla Roscovich are currently touring B.C. to bring their film “Salmon Confidential” to communities around the province.
Salmon Confidential is a new film suggesting a government cover-up of what is killing B.C.’s wild salmon. When Morton discovers B.C.’s wild salmon are testing positive for dangerous European salmon viruses associated with salmon farming worldwide, a chain of events is set off by government to suppress the findings.
Tracking viruses, Morton moves from courtrooms, into British Columbia’s most remote rivers, Vancouver grocery stores and sushi restaurants. The film documents Morton’s journey as she attempts to overcome government and industry roadblocks thrown in her path and works to bring critical information to the public in time to save B.C.’s wild salmon.
The film provides insight into the inner workings of government agencies, as well as rare footage of the bureaucrats tasked with managing the fish and the safety of food supply.
Local community groups are hosting Salmon Confidential screenings across BC, followed by discussion with Morton and Roscovich about the making of the film, the viruses, politics and how people can come together to restore wild salmon.
There are no screenings scheduled yet on the North Island, but the film can be viewed online at SalmonConfidential.ca.
“It is critical that people hear what is happening to this essential fish and why," said Morton. "We don’t have to be helpless bystanders as government tries to bury the evidence. The careers of all who research these European viruses in BC are under attack, but disease in salmon cannot be a federal secret any longer if we want wild salmon to be here for our children,” said Morton.
In an endorsement of Salmon Confidential, David Suzuki commented, “For years, Alexandra Morton has soldiered on providing evidence of and calling for action on the catastrophic state of wild salmon. Government and industries have thwarted her over and over again. This film clearly documents that governments do not put protection of wild salmon at the top of their priorities and Canadians should be outraged. I am.”
The upcoming election has given the film tour a sense of urgency.
“This whole nightmare could be over tomorrow and we could have our wild fish back if the next provincial leader commits to removing salmon feedlots from the wild salmon migration routes. They need to hear from the public that the wild salmon economy is too valuable to sacrifice to the salmon farm industry. The people of BC should understand what we documented in this film and then they can let candidates know they will be taking wild salmon to the polls,” said Roscovich.
Visit SalmonConfidential.ca for nearby film showings and more information.