Press Category: Species Protection

March 21, 2012 VANCOUVER – Eight conservation organizations working to protect marine wildlife on Canada’s Pacific coast are urging the Canadian Navy to exclude military training exercises from the critical habitat of southern resident killer whales.  This population of killer whales is listed as endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the legal obligation to protect their critical…

Environmental groups celebrate victory after federal government ordered to pay costs of failed appeal Feb. 9, 2012 VANCOUVER – The federal Court of Appeal has upheld a precedent-setting ruling that confirmed the federal government is legally bound to protect killer whale habitat, according to a judgment released today. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed nearly all aspects…

Federal government seeks to reverse parts of 2010 decision on critical habitat protection November 30, 2011 VANCOUVER – Ecojustice will appear before the federal Court of Appeal today to defend a precedent-setting ruling that confirmed the federal government is legally bound to protect killer whale habitat. Ottawa has since appealed the ruling. Ecojustice, representing a coalition of nine environmental groups,…

Research shows need for restoring salmon population key to orca recovery November 9, 2011 VANCOUVER – In a paper published today in PLoS ONE, researchers reveal the energetic needs of killer whales for Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea. This important information underscores how recovery planning for both species needs to factor in just how many salmon the killer whales…

Conservation groups say focus must be salmon, not industry October 18, 2011 VANCOUVER – The federal government must re-prioritize science and conserving salmon rather than surrendering to short-term industry interests, according to recommendations made by conservation groups to a national inquiry into the decline of Fraser sockeye. The recommendations were submitted on October 17 by the Conservation Coalition, which was…

Ministers’ announcement milestone in creating Conservation Area for Southern Strait October 13, 2011  Vancouver – Today’s announcement of an agreement between the Federal and BC Provincial governments regarding seabed rights in the proposed National Marine Conservation Area in the Southern Strait of Georgia was greeted by enthusiastic support by the Georgia Strait Alliance. The announcement by Minister Kent and Minister…

by Mark Hume The Federal Court of Canada has stuck the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with an $80,000 legal bill because, in a court battle over orca habitat, the government “displayed reprehensible, scandalous or improper conduct that is deserving of reproof or rebuke.” DevonPage, executive director of Ecojustice, a not-for-profit legal foundation, said the decision “is exceptional” and its…

January 17, 2010 Environmental groups headed back to court to uphold killer whale victory   VANCOUVER – Environmental groups vowed today to fight the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) appeal of a decisive and precedent-setting Federal Court ruling that declared that  DFO must protect critical habitat of killer whales and other aquatic species. DFO seeks to overturn the decision…

December 7, 2010 Federal Court rules DFO failed to protect B.C. resident killer whale critical habitat VANCOUVER – Conservation groups, represented by Ecojustice, have won a landmark decision (see below) in the Federal Court which ruled today that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has failed to adequately protect critical habitat of B.C.’s resident killer whales. The win ensures stronger…

Case could determine future of Canada’s at-risk species June 15, 2010 VANCOUVER – Conservation groups, represented by Ecojustice, are back in Federal Court today after launching a lawsuit against Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) over the protection of B.C.’s resident killer whales. If successful, the case will ensure stronger legal protection for all of Canada’s endangered species. The…