FIN IN THE NEWS: Cyclists support salmon

By Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer
Published: August 24, 2010 6:00 PM

Wild salmon have found a voice on wheels.

Michelle Nickerson and Daniel van der Kroon are cycling throughout B.C., accompanied by driver Kris Szabo, to try to protect and raise awareness of wild salmon.

They visited Salmon Arm Thursday, and said they have four main goals.

Firstly, to deliver postcards that citizens can send in supporting Bill C518, a private member’s bill from New Westminster-Coquitlam-Port Moody MP Fin Donnelly, the man who swam the Fraser River from its headwaters to the Pacific, twice, to promote sustainable living.

Bill C518 aims to strengthen the Fisheries Act by requiring fish farm operations on B.C.’s west coast to move to closed containment.

The cyclists have termed themselves the “Salmon Express,” like the Pony Express, in that they are delivering the salmon-oriented postcards.

Their second goal is to raise money for restoration projects. The third, to connect with the people taking the lead on salmon-related issues and projects and, the fourth, to listen to what is going on regarding salmon and salmon habitat in various communities.

Nickerson said the plight of the fish really hit home for her when she was in Lillooet for the Salmon in the Canyon Festival last year. The ceremony to open the festival involved a frozen fish, because there were no fresh sockeye. It was at that time she heard about the effects of fish farms on wild stocks.

She would like people to be more connected with what they eat, to realize that fish don’t come from a package.

The cyclists are touring the Fraser watershed and will have covered 3,000 kilometres when they’re finished. They started their journey Aug. 1 in Overlander Falls near Mt. Robson and will finish it on Aug. 31 on Musqueam territory off Georgia Strait.

Van der Droon says he sees three main threats to wild salmon: fish farms, irresponsible development, and climate change. The cyclists say they have seen issues similar to the environmental concerns that arose over the SmartCentres development come up in other communities they’ve visited.

To learn more about the cyclists or to donate, visit the Fraser River Ripple Relay at www.ripplerelay.ca. More information on Bill C518 and wild salmon is available at www.findonnelly.ca or www.salmonaresacred.org or from the Georgia Strait Alliance.