Not on My Watch: How a renegade whale biologist took on governments and industry to save wild salmon

by Alexandra Morton

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Alexandra Morton has been called "the Jane Goodall of Canada" because of her passionate thirty-year fight to save British Columbia's wild salmon. Her account of that fight is both inspiring in its own right and a roadmap of resistance.

Alexandra Morton came north from California in the early 1980s, following her first love--the northern resident orca. In remote Echo Bay, in the Broughton Archipelago, she found the perfect place to settle into all she had ever dreamed a lifetime of observing and learning what these big-brained mammals are saying to each other. She was lucky enough to get there just in time to witness a place of true natural abundance, and learned how to thrive in the wilderness as a scientist and a single mother.
Then, in 1989, industrial aquaculture moved into the region, chasing the whales away. Her fisherman neighbours asked her if she would write letters on their behalf to government explaining the damage the farms were doing to the fisheries, and one thing led to another. Soon Alex had shifted her scientific focus to documenting the infectious diseases and parasites that pour from the ocean farm pens of Atlantic salmon into the migration routes of wild Pacific salmon, and then to proving their disastrous impact on wild salmon and the entire ecosystem of the coast.
Alex stood against the farms, first representing her community, then alone, and at last as part of an uprising that built around her as ancient Indigenous governance resisted a province and a country that wouldn't obey their own court rulings. She has used her science, many acts of protest and the legal system in her unrelenting efforts to save wild salmon and ultimately the whales--a story that reveals her own doggedness and bravery but also shines a bright light on the ways other humans doggedly resist the truth. Here, she brilliantly calls those humans to account for the sake of us all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Canada, Ecology, Biography, Animals, Environment

384 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2021

Reviews

[Amanda Spitzig · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re at all attuned to the struggles in Canada to get open-ocean fish farms out of the water, you’ll be familiar with the name Alexandra Morton.

Morton is a field biologist who was drawn to Echo Bay in the remote Broughton Archipelago off the north coast of Vancouver Island in the 1980s to study the communication of northern resident orcas. When industrial aquaculture moved into her community in the late 80s, the large fish farms chased the whales away (quite literally with noise machines). Local fisherman sought Morton’s help to advocate to the government about how the farms were harming local fisheries, and eventually Morton’s scientific focus shifted to studying infectious diseases and parasites that pour from the open-ocean farm pens of Atlantic salmon into the migration routes of wild Pacific salmon. What began as a fight to save her local fishing community has grown to a huge movement, built primarily on traditional Indigenous governance, that continues to push for the removal of all industrial aquaculture from Canada’s oceans.

In “Not on My Watch,” Morton recounts the past 30+ years of her life spent in the centre of this fight to save BC’s wild salmon. This is one of the best pieces of environmental-based non-fiction that I’ve read. I’m quite attuned to all things aquaculture, and I still learned so much from this piece. Morton braids together so many threads to tell this entire story - the influence of industry (primarily based in Norway), the constant resistance of science and the truth by the DFO, the importance of independent scientific research, the use of legal action, the involvement of ENGOs, and the resurgence of Indigenous governance. Decades of government inaction, ignorance, and denial, particularly by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, has led to the near-collapse and near-extinction of many species of wild Pacific salmon, and has had echoing repercussions along the entire west coast. This book will make you rage with anger, it will bring you to the verge of tears, and it will inspire action. Alexandra Morton has sacrificed so much to bring us this story.

This book is also a case-study on activism, and how sustained activism can make an impact. For those in the legal world, those that do social justice work, and those that work with Indigenous communities - Alexandra shares her personal experiences being on the front-lines of a decades-long fight against industrial aquaculture. She is frank about feelings of burnout, and about the reality of soured relationships. She acknowledges the challenges of being a settler and working alongside Indigenous communities, and offers insight about how to navigate these lines. I personally found these comments to be a useful and pointed reminder of how to be an ally and support those leading the charge.

Even if you’re not a fish fanatic, this is still an incredible read. The issues at play here parallel many other environmental challenges we’re dealing with.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extraordinary.

Not only did it demonstrate the determination and tenacity and commitment to wild salmon that has driven Alexandra Morton, but it shows who our governments are really serving, and that is the corporate class. And this at the expense of our environment and public well-being. Ignoring and falsifying science, slandering scientists and engaging in activities that are intended to shut down people who are identifying important issues like the collapse of wild salmon on BC's coastline.

After reading it I'm wondering what we as people can do to make our governments accountable to the public good.

Also, this book was beautifully written, engaging and hard to put down.

Thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do, Alexandra Morton.

[Karen Moll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to this book. Just listen to it.

[Ellie O'Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutally honest, but what would we do without strong people like Alexandra. If only salmon could read! With this book we become informed citizens who must back up Alex and the Chiefs, whose land these net pens invaded. We must defend nature against corporations, and the governments which enable them.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring memoir revealing Alexandra Morton's thirty year fight to show how salmon farms in BC are harming the wild salmon (and ultimately the whales). A California transplant, Alexandra came to BC to study communication in whales but quickly observed the damaging effects of the salmon farming industry on the local wildlife and thus began what would turn into a life-long battle. Her dogged determination and selflessness in her scientific studies and environmental activism is extremely admirable! This was the perfect book to read on Earth day and I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone. I had no idea what really goes on in commercial salmon farms and how damaging their effects are on the surrounding ecosystems - this book was in turns eye-opening and heartbreaking and I will never look at salmon the same way again! For fans of Braiding sweetgrass, The right to be cold or the movie Dark Waters.

Favorite quotes:
"It's love that makes people stand up and react. The only places that are going to survive us are the places we love so fiercely that giving up isn't an option."

"The lack of political reaction to the damage caused by salmon farming is not an isolated plunder, it's part of a fatal continuum."

"I wanted to hold up a mirror to all of us on the front lines, showing us that we were brave, beautiful, powerful and relentless in winning the future for our children, the fish and the whales."

"Whether the issue is climate change or salmon farms, we need to weigh the validity of the science against its funding source."

[Nancy Bain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look for Alaskan salmon

The Department of Fisheries in Canada has facilitated the collapse of the east coast cod fishery and the west coast salmon fishery. Fish farm virus infect both farmed and wild fish on the west coast of Canada. We rely on non-governmental scientists to tell the truth while both federal and provincial governments - the people paid to protect our resources - gaslight us.

[Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely devastated me. I'm from one of the Atlantic Canada towns mentioned by name in this book, and hearing someone finally speak about the atrocities of salmon farms was very validating. I recommend this book as an audiobook, but no matter what format you read it in take it slowly. There's a lot here and it will stir up a whole wave of emotions. All of them are important. Once you know you can't unlearn this information.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this would be dry and scientific. It wasn't. The author writes well and pulls readers into a fascinating story - full of passion, drama and high stakes. A side benefit of reading this book is how readers cannot help but emerge from their reading more savvy about food choices and how what we eat affects the world we live in.

[Luke Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this really interesting. I want to talk to my friend who works for DFO and get his thoughts.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written and personal account of a scientist/activist in a nearly lifelong commitment to save wild salmon, and the ecosystem that feed and depend on them. The author shared about her personal tragedies and disappointments, as well as the technical details behind the issues. I appreciated her honest and humble approach to acknowledging her mistakes along the way.
I believed the motivations of the author to be true to her word. The motivations of the industrial companies are obvious. What the book fails to do is bring clarity to the motivations of the agencies and officials (which may be impossible to do from the outside).
Forgive the sidebar analogy, but I was reminded of Michael Jordan's documentary, The Last Dance, particularly the line "and I took that personally," that has since become famous. If MJ was disrespected by opposing teams, he would score and dunk on them time and time again. With Alexandra, each time she was told there was no data to support her theories, she produced it. Every single time, throughout her story, and even late into the book despite numerous setbacks. I admired her for her tenacity.
I appreciated her deference to the First Nations people and acknowledgement of their leadership in these issues.
Personal note - I just left Canada, and this was book 2 of 3 of that I will read to commemorate my move.

[Patrick Fassnacht · Rating 4 out of 5]

so very interesting, emotional, maddening... and inspiring. yet another story of greed, corruption, and altruistic perseverance. we need more Alexandra Mortons stewarding us all forward... but, then again, she reminds us of The Power of One. we just need more urgent application of it towards our neighbors.

[Luke-George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me on an emotional tour of hope, joy, despair, rage, and so much more. What a journey!

[Jean Chard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting account which among other things shows how hard it is to change government policy even when it's completely wrong and damaging.

[Foggygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thought provoking read.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for all Canadians.

[Anakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible, outstanding, devasting, tragic, beautiful, fulfilling, moving... This book is amazing and heartbreaking all at once. I think everyone should read it

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not On My Watch

Great animal activist book.

Enjoyed the story, and the great message of the book.

Would very much recommend reading this for animal rights and the environment.

Check it out if this sounds of interest to you! Great one!

3.8/5

[Erin Warriner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and extremely informative. Some parts of the book were difficult to read (feelings of hopelessness in terms of human impact on the environment); other parts were a bit dry (details about government proceedings etc) but they needed to be included. Alexandra Morton is smart, inspiring and powerful.

[Kim Stubblefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most difficult and important books I've read in a long time. I am amazed and grateful for Alexandra Morton's hard work and perseverance in the face of so much obstruction and denial of facts. If you want to know how we ended up in the state we are in with the Pacific salmon species, and all of the wildlife and humans that depend on them, this is a must-read. Have a handkerchief nearby. You'll probably need it.

[Gene Helfman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colleague of mine, a federal agency biologist, finishes his emails with, “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” Alexandra Morton has been outraged for decades. Not only has she paid attention, she’s done something about it.
Most of the book is a chronicle of Morton’s three-decade long fight against net pens holding farmed Atlantic salmon. She fought to have sea lice and viruses recognized as the existential threat they presented to wild fish exposed to disease as they migrated past salmon farms. The salmon farming industry and Canadian government colluded to discredit her science, intimidated her right and left, threatened lawsuits, basically made her life miserable. But Morton persisted and enlisted powerful allies: independent and agency biologists, ordinary citizens, recreational and commercial fishers, activist conservation organizations (e.g., Sea Shepherd), and tribal members including hereditary chiefs. All helped stage demonstrations and protests, social media posts, videos, occupied fish farms, petitioned politicians and bureaucrats, and bankrolled multiple legal efforts that took the industry and the government to court. They won the court cases in an effort to stop the restocking of salmon farms with new (probably infected) fish, and to halt the renewing of salmon farm tenures.
The industry and government fought at every turn, and continued illegal practices despite losing court cases.
Morton tries hard to end on a positive note, as much to reassure us as to motivate herself to keep fighting. The good news is that her efforts are bearing more fruit than is evident at the close of her fascinating, must-read book. In recent Twitter posts, Morton reports that several salmon farms have been removed from BC waters as a direct result of her collective efforts. Outrage works.

[Sionainn · Rating 5 out of 5]

* * * * *

[Stoned nINJA · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring books you will probably read in your lifetime . Must read for anyone living in Pacific north west or any one who gives a damn about nature .
What this book beautifully illustrates is how bureaucracy tries its best to resist change and go with status quo .
Author spent 25 years fighting salmon fish farms a life she didn't choose . She is so persistent and hardworking that youll thank god that people like her exist when most of us are netflix and chiiling .
Read it if
How Norway is fucking salmon single handedly
How governments will take millions from companies in name of jobs and destroy the balance
How salmon feeds not just bears and wolfs but the entire eco system including tress .

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about marine life, the experience of doing science, the challenges with modern activism, and the repeated failures of both provincial and federal governments in standing against industry to defend the environment. Even the one minor victory laid out in this book was later overturned by the courts for being "unfair" to industry (and more studies are published while no one does anything).

This article was published May 24, 2022, while I was reading this book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed Alex Morton's work for years, and read the story behind it with great interest. Many details were new to me and many were shocking to read, even knowing our governments' tendency to cater to industry and prioritize "optics" even when facing overwhelming evidence that an industry is detrimental or deadly. Morton's honesty and humanity is so relatable. She can be demanding and no-nonsense, or incredibly humble as the situation requires. Much gratitude for sharing about the science and activism that will one day get this harmful industry out of our coastal waters.

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alexandra Morton, a modern day warrior, writes this book after so many years of studying the destructive salmon farm industry and its effects not only on the environment but also the natal salmon and other wildlife that are forced to endure the pollution from these unhealthy food processing plants. A must read for any Canadian, and indeed anyone in the world concerned about the environment and food safety.

[Patricia Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stark reality of how government can ignore the consequences of human activity on our natural resources. Actually deny science and twist it to serve its own political agenda is shocking. Although we know this fact, to read Alexandra Morton’s story of wild salmon on the west coast of BC is very much in your face. I’m glad to have read this book even though at times it was incredibly disturbing.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world is a better place with healthy wild salmon, bears, eagles, healthy rivers and Forests.

Read this book and you will never eat big agriculture farms raised fish again. What humans are doing for greed and s stockholder price is completely awful. They do terrible things to our environment.

This book will bring you a whole new level of awareness

[Bruce Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's incredibly discouraging and aggravating to read how your own government deliberately and repeatedly commits stupid acts at the behest of foreign corporations. And to treat their own citizens as lesser beings.

[Alexander Housser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This perfectly titled book is about one woman's fight to protect wild salmon. But it has so many parallels beyond salmon that I found myself applying it to all the problems of our time where governments are ignoring the facts in front of them (in favor of industry profits over people) - climate change, bottom trawling, logging, mining, oil industry, healthcare policy, etc.

I'm used to the US govt doing the nonsensical, and thought of Canada as more environmentally conscious, but this book really changed my thinking on that. The book details the many ways DFO (their federal Fisheries and Oceans org) failed to protect wild salmon, instead protecting salmon farms (primarily run by Norwegian companies), and denying or obfuscating the evidence presented to them.

The crazy thing is Canada now goes to quite showy efforts to save orcas and Chinook salmon, and also point the finger at various parties for those species' decline, but they actually contributed to that, at least partially (as this book explains, farmed salmon spread lice and viruses to all species of passing wild salmon, and orcas like to eat the fatty chinook). And now Transport Canada does things like fining and restricting boaters in certain areas to supposedly reduce whale collisions (while offering no evidence that this is an effective policy) - makes it seem like a type of "green washing" - pretending to do something (a miniscule thing which is likely meaningless) while allowing the problems created by big businesses to continue.

The book is simultaneously depressing (because of how uncaring and indifferent so many people were to harming wild salmon) and yet hopeful (because the efforts of one woman, and a few others who she acknowledges, did make a difference).

"When science runs counter to government policy, there seems to be nothing you can do to have it acknowledged." (Pg 198).