|
Ocean Conservation News
For Immediate Release:
2004-03-28
For More Information:
Contact Amy Peterson 206-568-2850 Dynamic locally produced film explores economic, environmental and health impacts of salmon farmingAs the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release. Net Loss: The Storm
Over Salmon Farming "Net Loss probes one
of the most important and cautionary tales for the future relationship between
humanity and the sea. We need to think long and hard about this film." Seattle, Wash.—All
over the world, fish are at the heart of people's diets and cultures. And here
in the Pacific Northwest, there's no fish like the legendary salmon. An important
element in Native mythology, a livelihood for generations of fishermen and a
staple of the Northwest diet, the salmon has become an icon for this region. But decades of habitat loss
and poor fisheries management have threatened our wild salmon runs. One new
alternative, the commercial farming of salmon in underwater cages, has promised
more fish for people to eat and less pressure on the wild salmon. So what are
the repercussions of salmon aquaculture on our marine environment and coastal
communities? Filmed in Washington, British
Columbia and Chile, the locally produced documentary, Net Loss: The Storm
Over Salmon Farming, examines this industrial approach to producing salmon
from both local and global perspectives. Government and industry spokesmen make
the case for salmon farming, and fishermen, Native people, scientists and chefs
explain the dangers it may pose for the environment, human health and coastal
cultures. Net Loss has its broadcast premiere on KCTS Television Wednesday,
April 21 at 8:00 p.m. Those appearing in Net Loss
include B.C. whale biologist Alexandra Morton; Joseph McGonigle of Aqua Bounty
Technologies, a Massachusetts-based biotech company specializing in the development
of genetically altered fish; Rodrigo Infante of SalmonChile, Chile's salmon
industry association; Seth Zuckerman, co-author of Salmon Nation; former Canadian
M.P. Lynn Hunter; Chief Bill Cranmer of the 'Namgis First Nation (B.C.); and
independent fishermen north and south. With major articles about
the implications of fish farming recently published in The New York Times, Los
Angeles Times and local papers along the Northwest Coast from Oregon to Alaska,
more and more people are growing concerned about the source and quality of a
favorite food. This timely film, combining
lush photography, lively music and an engaging narrative, lays out the issues
in a way that is understandable and highly watchable. Net Loss: The Storm Over
Salmon Farming has been screened to standing-room-only audiences in California,
Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Texas, Minnesota and Maine. The film won
a bronze award at the Columbus International Film Festival in fall 2003 and
has earned widespread praise. Dr. Michael Skladany, Marine
and Fish Conservation Director for the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
(IATP) hailed Net Loss as "an extraordinary and timely film,"
while IATP President Mark Ritchie called the documentary "a myth buster
par excellence." Praising Net Loss
as "a wonderfully relevant film," Eric Wynkoop of the Western Culinary
Institute said the documentary "provides an emotional and meaningful perspective
on the noble fish-salmon-and our relationship to this being." Bill Mott, Director of SeaWeb
Aquaculture Clearinghouse, noted that Net Loss "shines a much-needed
light on the fact that not all salmon are created equal." Commented Mott,
"The well-balanced film clearly shows that there are major issues associated
with farming salmon. The film basically asks what price, in terms of environmental
and social costs, are we as consumers willing to pay for the flood of cheap
farmed salmon?" Home Video About the Producers Credits Resources for Press
Screeners |