Ep41: Restoring Wild Salmon in the Cowichan with Parker Jefferson

04/09/22 • 32 min

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It has been found that 70% of wild fish populations are either fully used, overused, or in crisis from overfishing. And with food demand projected to increase by 50% by 2050, there is simply not enough fish in the sea for fishing to be sustainable. Fish farming, otherwise known as aquaculture, is intended to supplement this demand. In fact, salmon aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production system in the world- although not without its own share of controversy. Parker Jefferson is a fly-fisherman in Cowichan, Canada, and has been an integral part of the success story for wild salmon in that area. We talk about the environmental and social importance of protecting these animals but also address how we can make choices that lessen the negative impacts of salmon aquaculture.

Highlights

How are salmon culturally important to the First Nation Tribes of Western Canada?
What are the negative impacts of salmon aquaculture in that area?
How has Parker's community come together to restore and protect the populations of wild salmon in the Cowichan?
How can salmon aquaculture lessen its negative impacts?

What YOU Can Do

Choose wild or certified fish (some certifications can be found in the Resources below).
Use a guide such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Guide to help make responsible choices, either on your phone or printed. The Environmental Defense Fund also has a guide called Seafood Selector.
Ask "where did this fish come from" at restaurants and grocery stores. The more people who make it known that they care, the more businesses will ask their suppliers and distributors the same.
Eat more plant-based meals

Resources

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it at https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

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Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

Highlights

How are salmon culturally important to the First Nation Tribes of Western Canada?
What are the negative impacts of salmon aquaculture in that area?
How has Parker's community come together to restore and protect the populations of wild salmon in the Cowichan?
How can salmon aquaculture lessen its negative impacts?

What YOU Can Do

Choose wild or certified fish (some certifications can be found in the Resources below).
Use a guide such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Guide to help make responsible choices, either on your phone or printed. The Environmental Defense Fund also has a guide called Seafood Selector.
Ask "where did this fish come from" at restaurants and grocery stores. The more people who make it known that they care, the more businesses will ask their suppliers and distributors the same.
Eat more plant-based meals

Resources

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it at https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and review! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-ch

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Previous Episode

Ep:40 Ghost Gear- From Waste to Wear with Jenny Ioannou

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Have you seen the images of whales dragging buoys wrapped around their tails? Or turtles entangled in ropes? These are examples of what is called "ghost gear," which are lost or abandoned fishing nets or gear that then aimlessly drift through the ocean, catching whatever comes into their path. Jenny Ioannou is with Healthy Seas, an organization dedicated to fixing this problem. Their work focuses on the retrieval of this pollution from the sea, prevention activities, and awareness building. And, once these materials are removed from the ocean, they work with partners to have them recycled and given a new life as a material called Econyl (used in a lot of today's sustainable fashion).

Highlights

What is ghost gear?
What kind of impact does Healthy Seas have on marine ecosystems?
How does Healthy Seas contribute to circular economies?

What YOU Can Do

Volunteer with or donate to Healthy Seas.
Report abandoned fishing gear to your local authorities or ask for help from organizations like Healthy Seas.
Throw away your trash in the proper receptacles.
Do not cut your fishing lines and let them go into the water.
Look for products made from Econyl. You can find all sorts of products from their partners on the Healthy Seas website. (It's important to mention that Econyl acts just like virgin nylon in that it also sheds plastic microfibers when washed. To keep those fibers from going into the water system, use a bag such as a Guppy Friend when washing them.)

Resources

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it at https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Next Episode

42. Getting the Peregrine Falcon Off the Endangered Species List with Art McMorris

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By 1964, there were no successfully nesting peregrine falcons in North America east of the Rockies and south of the Arctic. They were functionally extinct. So, why do we have them now? How did they come back? And why are they loving cities? One of the heroes of their story is Art McMorris. He was the Peregrine Falcon Coordinator with the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 2004 to 2021. Under his leadership, the Peregrine came to be removed from the endangered species list. This is a story not only for anyone interested in bringing a species back from the brink of extinction but also for those determined to reach their goals while having fun- a requirement for Art.
Highlights

What makes the Peregrine super unique in the animal kingdom?
How does a species go from functionally extinct to off the endangered species list?
Once a neuroscientist, what skills did Art transfer to help the Peregrine?
What lessons did he learn from doing this?

What Can YOU Do

Engage with the natural world. It'll remind you that we are not separate, but rather, a part of it.
When you learn of the presence of Peregrine Falcons somewhere, tell that information to your local wildlife agency so they can monitor the animal.
Volunteer to monitor nests or be a part of rescue squads and rehabilitators.
If you see an injured bird, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator(s) before you try to intervene.
Vote for candidates that will support nature.
Avoid pesticides. Although we no longer use DDT, what unknown dangers might the pesticides we use have?

Resources

Pennsylvania Game Commission Peregrine Falcon page

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?