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A new film from producers Josh and Emily Murphy is bringing the story of salmon farming in Newfoundland and Labrador into the spotlight.
Rock | Plastic | Salmon was filmed over 10 days in 2024 in Burgeo, Grey River, Conne River, Grand-Falls Windsor, Corner Brook, and Hermitage Bay. It tells the story of salmon farming in Newfoundland and Labrador and people trying to protect the coastline from industry expansion.
“The people we spoke with invited us into the conversation, to get a first-hand look at the conflict over salmon farm expansion,” said filmmaker Josh Murphy, co-founder of Land and Sea for All productions. “We saw huge amounts of plastic waste left behind by salmon farms, and heard the concerns of people who dont want the industry and its pollution near their community.”
The project began in early 2024 when staff from ASF followed up on information about a cove near Gaultois called The Locker. It was filled with tons of discarded plastic including broken sea-cages, salmon farm nets, Styrofoam, feed bags, and barges.
Since then, satellite image analysis has uncovered evidence of dumped or discarded equipment at 12 other sites and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has ordered a surface clean up.
As news of the industrys plastic dumping spreads, the film turns to the community of Burgeo, where people have been working for decades to establish a National Marine Conservation Area open to commercial fishing but closed to salmon farms – an effort now being aggressively targeted by salmon farming companies that want to expand there.
“We hope the film will change peoples minds about salmon farming and encourage leaders in the province to reconsider rewarding companies responsible for pollution with access to even more public water,” said Murphy. “People want to be heard and are asking for balance.”
The film premiers in Burgeo on June 16th. Screenings will also be held in Ramea, Woody Point, Corner Brook, and St. Johns. To view the trailer and learn more about the upcoming screenings visit www.rockplasticsalmon.com.
To arrange interviews contact:
Kristen Noel
ASF communications
knoel@asf.ca | (902) 499-1801
Rock | Plastic | Salmon is a co-production of ASF, Cox Films, Land and Sea for All, and Loop.