Cinema Politica is presenting a documentary about a large salmon kill in Mission at a screening of Worth Creek, on June 30, in Pitt Meadows.
The locally produced doc tells the story of three retired biologists who investigated what happened to cause the deaths of thousands of local salmon.
Last December, Worth Creek, east of Mission, was bone dry as a result of gravel extraction from nearby Norrish Creek. This was devastating to a system which which usually supports up to 20,000 spawning Coho and Chum salmon, says filmmaker Jack Emberly, saying the salmon spawning streams were supposed to be protected by government.
He and biologists John Werring and Dr. Marvin Rosenau decided to look for answers.
They struggled to overcome an "official wall of silence" from the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as well as from several branches of the provincial government.
“That’s unacceptable,” said Emberly. “The public has the right to know how their natural resources, including salmon, the gravel they spawn in, and the water they need to survive, are protected.”
“Without the three retired biologists featured in the film, and their knowledge, love of truth, and demand for justice for fish and their habitat, the story would never come to light,” he added.
The Worth Creek documentary will be followed by an expert panel discussion including the three biologists involved. Holly Arntzen, local singer/songwriter and activist, will perform two of her songs.
Members of the public are invited to attend the event at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at Pitt Meadows Community Church Hall (12109 Harris Rd.) Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
