The Unofficial Trial of Alexandra Morton

The crash of 19 stocks of Fraser River sockeye over a 15 year period forced the Canadian government to close all fishing from 2007 to 2009. The Canadian government, desperate for answers, or at least looking for a way to deflect criticism, struck an inquiry led by justice Bruce Cohen that would last over a year. The decline was quick and dramatic. It looked like Fraser river sockeye populations were going extinct. For more than 20 years, Alexandra Morton, an independent biologist, has been a vocal campaigner against open net pen fish farms. Her research and subsequent publications outline a case that sea lice and disease from the farms have spread to wild salmon populations. She argues that open net fish farms is the source of the problem. But instead of embracing her findings, government and industry have vilified the whistleblower and tried many things to silence her. Finally, after nearly a year of hearings, Morton appeared at the inquiry for two days. The battle lines were quickly drawn and the inquiry became more like a trial of a witness than an information gathering process. It is rare that partnerships between government and corporate interests are acknowledged in public. It's even more rare to see it in action. Includes an extensive bibliography along with over 50 photos in colour and black and white.