Joel explains, “I wrote Silence in response to the 2014 Mount Polley disaster, after learning Southeast Alaska’s salmon rivers face similar threats. Silence speaks to the Transboundary region of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, where many mine projects are in various stages of permitting. One, the Red Chris Mine (owned by the same company as Mount Polley) is already operational. These mines sit at the headwaters of three of the most significant and pristine salmon-producing rivers in Southeast Alaska: the Taku, the Stikine, and the Unuk.”
The majority of wild coho salmon caught in Southeast Alaska – the majority of F/V Nerka coho – originate from these rivers.
Unlike the widespread public campaign of Pebble Mine, we’ve been dismayed at how few people – particularly in the Lower 48 – are aware of the Transboundary mines. Joel did his part to change that, sharing Silence with audiences at last month’s FisherPoets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon. As he states in his introduction, we urge all our salmon-loving friends to visit Salmon Beyond Borders to learn more about the Transboundary issues and how you can help stand for Southeast Alaska’s salmon and their habitat. Thank you.