Spending 788 million USD on different anti-farmed salmon activity

In an open letter from Vivian Kruse to the founder of the whealty US-based Packard Foundation, she tries to find out why the foundation consequently supports alle the interests that oppose salmon farming. She questions the motives behind the campaigns against farmed salmon in favour of wild Alaskan salmon.

Here is what she writes:  

Ms. Packard,

As you know, I am concerned about the unfair manner in which the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other Packard-funded organizations and companies appear to me to be swaying the seafood market, especially with regards to salmon. In this regard, please see the attached letter.

On the basis of the attached information, it appears to me that at least 56 (fifty-six) Packard-funded organizations and companies are acting in concert to sway consumers and retailers towards Alaskan wild and ranched salmon and away from the competition: farmed salmon. As I have said before, if I have the wrong impression, please let me know.

According to my calculations as shown in the attached spreadsheet, your foundation has granted more than $788 million to these 56 organizations - including $407 million to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. My calculations indicate to me that at least $75,278,176 was for projects specifically to sway the seafood market. Would the Packard foundation be willing to please verify these figures with your records and let me know if you find any discrepancies?

As I believe that this matter is of public interest, I will post this and a series of questions at www.fair-questions.com. You are welcome to comment. My questions include:

Is it fair for a non-profit, public benefit foundation to pay $57 million to certify wild and ranched fish but not farmed fish? http://fairquestions.typepad.com/fishfarmfuss/2010/02/is-57-million-packard-msc-marketing-fair-1.html

Is it fair for a non-profit, public benefit foundation to spend $12 million on projects with Wal-Mart suppliers and other large U.S. retailers? How does this benefit the public? Is this Conservation and Science? Is this marketing - tax-free marketing - in the name of Conservation and Science? http://fairquestions.typepad.com/fishfarmfuss/2010/02/12-million-large-us-retailers.html

You may contact me at 604.618.8110 or at vivian.krause@mac.com.