Don Staniford, fish farm campaigner with the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture, is currently facing a 20 day legal trial against Norwegian-owned aquaculture company Mainstream Canada.

The fish farm company alleges that Staniford's campaign uses "defamatory and false statements" and has taken particular umbrage

at the use of anti-fish farm graphics that mimic health warnings on cigarette packages. The company is seeking a permanent injunction preventing Staniford from writing, printing or broadcasting future criticism of the international company.

The Norwegian government is reported to be a majority shareholder of Mainstream Canada, which is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. The company which also operates in Chile, Canada, Scotland and Vietnam has engaged the services of the third biggest law firm in Canada, and Don Staniford says that this is a David and Goliath battle between corporate reputation and freedom of speech. "I am defending the right to speak out against salmon farming. Unfortunately the freedom of speech is not free. It costs a lot of money." Every day of trial will cost Don Staniford $3,000 in legal fees. The Norwegian branch of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund has donated $10,000 to his cause. Support has also been shown by media coverage in Sweden and you can follow the case via the Twitter feed of the GAAIA.