Naturally Raised Canadian Chinook Salmon
Really!?

Have you seen the latest online ads from a farmed fish company? Yup, it's official, farmed fish is - 'Naturally Raised Canadian Chinook (King) Salmon', "From the cold, clean waters of Clayoquot Sound', 'Within the Traditional Territory of Tla-O-Qui-Aht First Nations', '100% Natural diets', 'No growth hormones. Zero antibiotics in the fish you eat'.

If it wasn't so sad that many people believe they are doing the right thing eating these 'natural' salmon, it would be downright funny the way these people spin the language.

Natural does not equal Wild. 100% Natural diets.
We all know that natural really doesn't mean much in defining food. Just because something is natural doesn't mean it's healthy or good for the environment. There is no official definition for natural foods, they can be processed and they can contain artifical colouring

Cold, clean waters of Clayoquot Sound
The waters of Clayoquot Sound ain't so clean if you're a wild salmon or a shell fish. These Clayoquot Sound waters are dangerous for them and will get more so with fish farm pollutants and fish farm escapees and the sea lice on fish farm fish. They are cold but don't be deceived, they're not clean.

Within the Traditional Territory of Tla-O-Qui-Aht First Nations
Well, it's really sad that in return for jobs, the fish farm gets to say this - in our opinion of course.

Zero antibiotics in the fish you eat
What doesn that mean - in the fish you eat?

Calling Moses Martin!

Re: Letter to the Editor - The Westerly News published Thursday August 2, 2007

Interesting letter. Praising the fish farming industry and using native-speak to make us believe that your opinion is one of protection for the ocean. Let's take a look at some of the statements in your letter:

"...are few companies in this community that are as generous and as community-minded..."
That's the way industry works. To ingratiate themselves in a community, industry worms its way into community BBQ's, sponsorship of sports teams and other events. The industry hopes that people won't look past these cheap tricks at what the industry is really doing to the community. It's the way business has operated for many years and old habits die hard especially if they work. Fortunately most citizens here are able to see past the smoke and mirrors.

"...people who are not paid to be environmentalists...are open-minded...aren't too lazy.."
We guess you've never looked at the paycheque of a professional environmentalist. After years of education and practical experience, gathering an immense amount of knowledge, most people who work as environmentalists could make way more money being on the other side. You know what I'm saying right?
ps - No one at TTN is paid - neither are we close-minded or lazy, although we do consider ourselves neat, but that's another story.

"...for example, ask yourself, how long can we expect wild stock to exist if we try to meet the market demand and expectation created by the availability of year-round fresh farmed salmon?..."
Did you ever stop to ask yourself why are we attempting something that is not sustainable. We cannot meet the greedy market of fresh salmon and so why are we so full of greed as to ruin our wild salmon stock by attempting to? We were under the impression that First Nations believed in taking from what nature offers for subsistence not to rob the earth of her resources so the market demand can be met.

"...how many restaurants in Tofino carry _________  __________ [farmed] salmon?..."
Are you saying those restaurant owners who don't serve farmed salmon are close-minded and lazy? We find them intelligent and open-minded; people who have read the facts and made conscious decisions based on sustainable business practices; people who are concerned with the health of the environment. And, we applaud Trilogy Fish Market for vocalizing their belief in what is right. If more of us took an interest and spoke up on where we stand maybe we could put an end this destructive industry. Join us. We'll all work together to get FN people jobs in a sustainable industry and we'll all work together to make this community a healthy coastal region where community BBQ's and sports events are contributed to and enjoyed by everyone.

"...far from proven that closed containment tanks...can alleviate the main environmental concerns of sea lice, disease and escapes..."
Gee any one of those three dangers are reason enough that fish farming should not be allowed. If closed container doesn't address those issues then to heck with the industry. Why should an industry be allowed to pollute our ocean, and kill our wild salmon stocks, not to mention something about prawn stocks? We should treat our wild ocean neighbours with the respect they deserve. If salmon goes up in price so what, no one has to eat salmon, let them pay big bucks in downtown wherever. We here at TTN like to drink good wine and we save up for that. Why should salmon be a cheap fix?

"...in closing I want to be perfectly clear..."
And let us be perfectly clear. If we believed that __________  ___________ farms were not destroying our wild stock or environment we would not be writing this article. If we were __________  ___________ we would certainly feel guilt and shame putting this fish farm industry in beautiful, natural Clayoquot Sound where, in God's, Buddha's, Mohammad's, and all the pagans, Druids, and Wiccan goddesses and gods names, the salmon should be wild and free of such outlandish disrespect.

"Moses Martin, Tofino"
A simple moniker. We thought people may be interested in knowing a bit more about you and how to contact you. You may contact Mr Martin at Creative Salmon where he is on staff.

Creative Salmon Ltd.
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Liaison
Moses Martin
moses.martin@creativesalmon.com

Mr Martin has also signed the Declaration in support of sustainable BC salmon farming found on, where else - The Farmed, Fresh and Healthy website. Check out the sleazy use of a Jacques Costeau quote on this page. Here's another one of his they forgot to twist - 'Farming as we do it is hunting, and in the sea we act like barbarians.' Or this one 'If we go on the way we have, the fault is our greed and if we are not willing to change, we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect.' Or finally...

People protect what they love.
Jacques Costeau

So Moses, if you don't mind we'd rather hear from Joe Martin.

Voluntary Ban on Plastic Bags

What the heck is that - a voluntary ban? Congratulations Tofino council for using doublespeak at its finest on such an important issue. That really shows leadership. We realize that some council members are as ashamed as we are, that perhaps one sold out and that others may simply think that industry will enforce itself - like that time, no, but that other time, no. Hello???

We are being watched by the country and the world and this is what we come up with?

What an embarrassment.

Tofino's plastic bag ban lacks teeth to enforce, Globe & Mail - 17 May 2007

Bye Bye BC Open Net Fish Farming?

Hope springs from the darndest places - a government report -can you believe it?

The BC Committee recommends that:

1.1    A rapid, phased transition to ocean-based closed containment begin immediately. Within three years ocean-based closed containment must be developed. Once developed, industry must transition to this technology within the subsequent two years.

 1.2    To meet the initial three year deadline, the provincial government, in partnership with the federal government and the salmon aquaculture industry, must urgently finance and conduct a full commercial-scale ocean-based closed containment project.

1.3    The provincial government should develop and provide incentives to the aquaculture industry to facilitate the transition to ocean-based closed containment technology.

Get ready for a barrage of spin from media and fish farms. Oh the jobs that fish farms provide... Oh that NDP-dominated committee... The industry could never survive closed containment... BC will not be able to stay competitive in the global farm fish market if they must use closed containment... Quality of the fish can't be maintained in concrete pens...Closed containment is really no better environmentally than open net since BC has such stringent rules already...Raising fish in concrete pens is not humane...The technology is unproven...We're not against it, it just can't be implemented yet...The cost, the cost, the cost, we'll have to lay workers off, we can't be competitive, we need government subsidies...

"It's a report designed to shut the industry down" says Ron Cantelon, a Liberal MLA (Nanaimo-Parksville) [1]

B.C. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Pat Bell has said he would not feel bound by the committee's recommendations. [2] Surprise. Surprise.

The BC Legislative Assembly Aquaculture Report

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia:
Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture Final Report Volume 1

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia:
Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture Final Report Volume 2

Articles worth reading.
Aquaculture's Troubled Harvest | Wild salmon at risk | Fish farms that don't harm

1. Times Colonist - 16 May 2007
2. CBC News - 16 May 2007

Please visit the sponsor for this article.

51 Sea Lions Drown in Fish Farm Nets

By now you would have to be dead yourself not to have heard about the latest drowning of 51 Sea Lions in the nets of a fish farm in Tofino Inlet. A gruesome death by all accounts. Seems the pesky creatures get in past two outer nets and suck out salmon from their holding nets. The sea lions then cannot find their way out through the holes of the outer nets and drown.

What True Tofino News asks is Why?
Why is this happening?
How much of it is happening?
How is the media reporting on this situation?

Here are two online news articles about this latest incident. Media 101 - are the articles balanced in their reporting? Did you read all the way to the end? Whose information is where in each article? Can you see a difference in the telling of this story between the two?

First article is from a local online news organization, The Westcoaster:
Unfortunately after this True Tofino News article was posted and brought to the attention of The Westcoaster they started blocking this website from having a link to the story. (*)
To read their story you'll have to copy and paste the link below into your browser.
www.westcoaster.ca/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=1950

Second article is from a national news organization, The Globe & Mail:
The Globe & Mail: Fish-farm nets take toll on sea lions

Our local newspaper The Westerly did a good job of balanced reporting.
While we would have liked to see the story mentioned on the front page, they gave the best coverage, reporting not just on the actual event but also writing about what could be done about the situation and the different views on that solution. Equal space was given to the differing viewpoints and they were both presented throughout the article. Well done Westerly!
Unfortunately the paper is not online but we will try and get permission to run a copy.

Please visit our sponsor for this article.

Never seen a fish farm?
Here's one of the many fish farms in Clayoquot Sound, Tofino, BC, Canada

Kendal Kelly elected
Plastic Bags rejoice.

We gained one new councillor and lost one potential vote for the banning of plastic shopping bags in Tofino. Let's use your past experience rallying people and can-do attitude to take another look at this Kendal. Business will not do it on its own, let's be environmental leaders in super natural Tofino and show that we care.

Plastic bags are not organic. They are made from oil which is organic but the process of making a synthetic product removes it from the coveted organic status. Plastic is a artificial product, it will not break down into its origins, and it's deadly for the planet - that's you in case you've forgotten. Don't use plastic - like that's gonna happen - Use with extreme care and reuse, then recycle - do not dispose of plastics in our land fill.
No recycling here for plastic you say. Okay, clean it, store it, and take it out with you next time you visit a community that does recycle plastic. Got friends who visit? Have them take your plastic out with them. There's no excuse to dump plastics into our land fill.

Please visit the sponsor of this article.

Strathcona Park Needs You!
And You Need It.

An application has been made by the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort (at the head of Bedwell Sound) to build new roadbeds and bridges, both inside and outside the park, and a "destination" site way up at You Creek to accommodate horse expeditions into the Park. This is part of a plan to link up with horse expeditions from the north side of the park (coming down from Buttle Lake).

We're not keen on the idea and would not like to see it happen - but should it be decided that the public's Strathcona Park lands should be shared with Clayoquot Wilderness Resort then we only think it's fair that Clayoquot Wilderness Resort lands be shared with the public. Oh, the cost per day for one person to stay at CWR? Over $1500 a day for the 3 night package.

Key Issues about allowing CWR in Strathcona Park include:
* private commercialization of public wilderness areas
* implications of this proposal for all wilderness parks in the province
* the implications of introducing horses into a pristine wilderness
* predator "management" (of things that might like to eat horses)
* the effects of horse use on fragile wilderness ecosystems
* feed and waste management issues
* the value of rapidly diminishing wilderness; meaning wilderness that is truly wilderness

Please visit the sponsor of this article.

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Fish Farms in Clayoquot Sound

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51 Dead Sea Lions

Strathcona Park

About Us

Welcome to True Tofino News where we attempt to find the truth in news. Most media is skewed to business, progress, development and the right - some blatantly, others so subtlety that you may not even notice. To be fair some media are balanced but that doesn't mean that the truth is in there.

We are locals with an interest in maintaining the natural environment of this beautiful place.

Let's remember why we live here and why people visit - nature. Let's work to hang on to what we have now and instead of ruining it, make it better.

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