Shortlisted for 2006 George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in B.C. Writing and Publishing

In this remarkable book, author Dennis Brown reviews the history of the West Coast salmon resource with such comprehensiveness and clarity that even those closest to the issue will find themselves viewing it with new understanding. Brown places the reader at the centre of the controversies surrounding the Canada-United States Pacific Salmon Treaty, the subsequent Alaska ferry blockade and other highly charged media events while analyzing the motivations of key decision makers with a flair that makes for an invigorating read. Salmon Wars: The Battle for the West Coast Salmon Fishery is a landmark study of this crucial subject.

"I can think of no more devoted or passionate observer than Dennis Brown. His account of the changing fortunes of Canada's West Coast salmon fishery, and of the people and communities whose lives and livelihoods are intertwined with that precious resource, should not be missed. This is a story that has been waiting to be told."
--Yves Fortier, Canada's chief negotiator, Pacific Salmon Treaty (1993-1998)

Dennis Brown, a member of a third generation fishing family, was born and raised in Vancouver. He was educated at the University of British Columbia, where he studied English literature and political science. In 1980, he joined the staff of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union and worked as the union's Fraser Valley organizer, dealing primarily with the gillnet and troll fleets. In 1990 he was elected to the post of business agent of the UFAWU and three years later he became secretary-treasurer. In 1996 he was hired as Premier Glen Clark's special advisor on the Pacific Salmon Treaty. He lives in Burnaby, BC.

Dennis Brown's profile page

"[Brown's] passion infuses every page with excitement, but he never loses sight of the facts. Canada's salmon problems are America's salmon problems, and this book casts a new ligh on the situation by nature of its objectivity and Brown's expertise.
"This is an impressive book about nature and people."
--Dan Hay, Oregon Statesman Journal

"Everyone interested in the future of salmon and the well-being of the west coast working people should give this book a careful read."
--Kimball Cariou, People's Voice

"This is an outstanding work of research and key publication in understanding the ongoing complexities of the West Coast salmon fishery."
--Ann Turner, Canadian Book Review Annual

"This book captures the tragic reality brilliantly in this one very revealing case study. Coast communities everywhere should read and learn from this very valuable book."
—AusMarine

"Dennis Brown is one of those long-time passionate observers, and in his new book, Salmon Wars: The Battle for the West Coast Salmon Fishery (Harbour Publishing, 408 pages), he outlines in detail the many battles and wars waged by consumers, politians, bureaucrats and fisherman almost since the province began...Salmon Wars is not a lament for a lost cause, for Brown doesn't believe that's the case. Instead, he ably shows this to be a troubled industry in need of constant love and attention."
-Greg Joyce, The Vancouver Sun

The Vancouver Sun