PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE (Monday 28th October 2002)

Hundreds of anglers, groups and individuals from throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland protested outside supermarkets last Saturday about salmon farm damage to the environment and a possible danger to public health from eating farmed fish. Protesters in 97 locations handed out over 15,000 "Why You Shouldn't Eat Farmed Salmon" posters outside an estimated 250 supermarkets including M&S, Safeway, Tesco, ASDA and Sainsburys'. Buoyed by such a successful turnout and a positive public reaction The Salmon Farm Protest Group are planning another series of protests.

Reports from SFPG supporters are flooding in (further up-dates will be posted on The Salmon Farm Monitor: www.salmonfarmmonitor.org):

"I was impressed at the level of public awareness of the implications for wild fish from salmon farming. I hope that the Salmon Farm Protest Group will build on this success." (Mark Bowler, Editor, Fly-Fishing & Fly-Tying magazine, from Perth.)

"The day went well - even too well as I ran out of posters! Lots of people know about farm salmon after watching TV programmes. One or two teachers took information for their schools." (Tim Clasper, York)

"Done – posters distributed outside M&S in Dover town centre. Put me down for any follow up action that I can manage on two walking sticks!" (Richard Bunting, Dover)

"Successful morning. Encouraging comments from shoppers." (Roger Baker, Killarney)

"A very good day here in London. The M&S management almost had apoplexy as we were parked smack bang in the main street - all mouths agape from the passing buses and cars etc" (Rod O’Sullivan, Ealing)

"I have been amazed at how ‘clued-up’ such a lot of people were. General disgust at the apathetic government that lets such things happen." (Simon Smith, Pershore)

"You may be pleased to note that my wife and I have decided to stop eating farmed salmon after we saw the protest outside M&S in Edinburgh on Saturday" (Phil Haywood, Edinburgh)

Salmon Farm Protest Group member Don Staniford said: "Supermarkets are deliberately misleading consumers with the many shoppers still unaware salmon is farmed let alone that it contains artificial colourings, contaminants and four times more fat than wild salmon. Saturday's success will be followed up by more protests in the run up to Xmas."

The Salmon Farm Monitor (www.salmonfarmmonitor.org) will continue to provide press up-dates, photos and further details concerning the second series of protests scheduled for December.