An Atlantic salmon leaps in its pen.
I have made the jump from journalism to communications and I am loving it.
It’s not easy, that’s for sure. Multitasking is a must. And I have chosen to do communications for a company embroiled in controversy. A whole industry embroiled in controversy, actually.
I am now the communications officer for Mainstream Canada, based in Campbell River, the second-largest salmon farming company in British Columbia. And boy, is salmon farming ever unpopular these days.
But I think all the hate is unwarranted. I covered aquaculture for the Campbell River Mirror newspaper for eight years and I heard all sorts of awful things about the industry, but I just didn’t see it.
I looked. I tried to see what all the environmental groups hated about the farm industry. But I just didn’t see the evidence.
But I did see a lot of evidence of questionable behaviour by the environmental groups attacking the companies. I refer to inconsistencies, lies and even possible “greenwashing” on behalf of the Alaskan fishing industry. I also refer to a general mean-spiritedness and unwillingness to compromise.
Meanwhile, the industry has become more open, improved its practices and been consistent, ironically, thanks in part to the pressure from environmental groups.
When the communications position with Mainstream Canada came up, I jumped at the opportunity to work in an industry I believe has a bright future in B.C. and which has an important part to play in feeding the world’s exploding population, as well as contributing to a healthy economy on Vancouver Island.
I’ve left journalism and I’m not looking back. This is too much fun. I hope I can help people see what I see about the industry — an earnest effort to run a good business that feeds people, employs people, is environmentally sensitive and is profitable.
