Having spent much of the week fending off rumours of a merger with the Klingons, the New Democratic Party announced on Thursday that William Shatner will help save British Columbia's wild salmon.

"Canadian film and television icon William Shatner has thrown his support behind New Democrat Fisheries and Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly’s efforts to save British Columbia’s wild salmon," states the NDP release.

Shatner reportedly completed the following statement without incident:

"West Coast wild salmon are part of the Canadian fabric, but they are in serious trouble. They face many threats, including sea lice from fish farms. The federal government can't continue to ignore the plight of wild salmon. We must do everything possible to ensure these magnificent creatures are protected, and Fin Donnelly’s proposed legislation helps do that."

New West MP Fin Donnelly allegedly uttered the following words without coughing:

"I'm thrilled to be working with Mr. Shatner."

And salmon activist Alexandra Morton is said to have added:

"I applaud William Shatner and Fin Donnelly for their astute leadership on this issue."

We're not making this up.

Donnelly, a longtime salmon advocate, has introduced a private member's bill that would require West Coast fish farm operators to transition to closed-containment systems within five years. Such systems would insulate wild salmon from the parasitic sea lice associated with open-net fish farming.

Monte Paulsen liked Star Trek as well as the next teenager.