And that’s a wrap! Our team had an incredibly busy Ocean Week, attending events across the Salish Sea in Victoria, Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and even in Ottawa! From Film Screenings to Poetry Nights to Festivals, we engaged with hundreds of people, inspired action, and raised awareness about marine protection and conservation throughout the Salish Sea. Read on to learn more about the events we organized and participated in for Ocean Week this year!
EVENTS AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Beer, Ocean, and Art: Stories from the Salish Sea (May 28th)
This relaxed event at the Gage Gallery was the perfect way to kick off GSA’s Ocean Week celebrations, featuring artwork of the incredibly talented Tanya Bub, whose ocean-inspired sculptures are truly breathtaking. The event also included a screening of the short film Shared Waters, Shared Crisis by Jessica Plumb and a live reading of an excerpt from Tanya’s new book on the Southern Resident Killer Whales. We also spoke about our ongoing campaigns including Protecting the Southern Residents and Fish Farms out by 2029. A special shoutout to Persephone Brewing for sponsoring our event and thank you to Tanya for generously donating a portion of her art sales from the event to GSA! Along with our own merchandise, sales, and donations, we raised close to $2200 towards protecting the Salish Sea!
The Gorge Splashtacular Ocean Festival (May 30th)
This family-friendly event was such a BLAST! Ocean Week Victoria officially started at the Gorge Splashtacular Ocean Festival, kicking off a series of more than 30 ocean-themed events held across the Capitol Regional District through World Ocean Day on June 8.
We were there to help raise awareness about the Salish Sea and the importance of protecting its unique and vulnerable ecosystems. Our Executive Director Beatrice and our summer Clean Marine BC Assistant Hazel joined forces with Natalie, Conservation Director from CPAWS-BC, to table at the event. Our colouring sheets and stickers were a big hit, and what a delight to see the next generation of ocean lovers inspired!
Many thanks to the Gorge Waterway Action Society and Seaquaria Ocean Education for hosting and organizing this amazing event!
World Ocean Day at Fisherman’s Wharf (May 31st)
The following day we were at Fisherman’s Wharf World Ocean Day Celebration. russ, our Campaigns Manager, got to fulfill a life-long dream of signing alongside the Raging Grannies, a group of environmental activists known for their theatrical performances and protests. We also partnered again with our friends at CPAWS-BC to spread the word about marine protection and conservation in our waters around British Columbia. A special thank you to Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours for organizing the event and Greater Victoria Harbour Authority for hosting.
Oceans with David Attenborough Screening and Panel Discussion (June 4th)
We attended a film screening of Oceans with David Attenborough, followed up with a panel discussion hosted by Pacific Wild at the Vic Theatre. This was the first event of many for our Saanich-Gulf Islands Clean Marine BC Assistant, Liz, who accompanied Beatrice and Hazel. Beatrice participated in the panel discussion alongside Hereditary Chief David Mungo Knox, of Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations, and members of Pacific Wild. The expert panelists had a thought-provoking discussion about bottom trawling in Coastal BC, endangered species protections, marine protected areas and the role each of us can play in advancing conservation in the Salish Sea. The impactful film and discussion had a significant influence on the audience of ocean enthusiasts, creating a large wave of traction to our table to sign petitions, learn more about our programs, and get involved in marine conservation.
Shared Crisis: Film screening and panel discussion at Patagonia Vancouver (June 4th)
It was an incredible night at Patagonia Vancouver where we organized a film screening of Shared Waters, Shared Crisis, a film by Jessica Plumb, followed by a panel discussion. The film examines the interconnected crisis facing Southern Resident orcas and Chinook salmon, centered on the Fraser River which is Canada’s most productive salmon watershed. Through traditional fishing practices, habitat restoration, and rethinking commercial harvesting, the film explores potential solutions for a shared future. Our panel included our partners from CPAWS-BC and Stand.earth to reflect on what’s happening in the Salish Sea right now and solutions for a healthy, quiet and thriving Salish Sea moving forward. We thank Patagonia Vancouver for giving us this platform and for everyone who showed up with care and took action for the future of these shared waters.
Saltwater Tongues Poetry Night at Caffe Fantastico (June 6th)
A special thank you to everyone who attended and participated in our poetry night at Caffe Fantastico, an event where creativity meets environmental activism and justice. We shared a powerful moment of collective community building, talking about stories and poems of resistance, justice, and wonder. Thanks to the Gorge Waterway Action Society, UVic sustainability project, BC Climate Emergency Campaign, and Creating Climate Resilience campaign for collaborating on this thought-provoking event. If you weren’t able to attend, no worries. We’ll be sharing some of the poems from the evening so stay tuned!
False Creek Festival: A Watershed Moment! (June 7th)
GSA was one of the many incredible organizations present at the False Creek Festival. Despite the torrential weather, we saw a fantastic turnout, had wonderful conversations and ended the day feeling even more driven and committed towards our mission. We thank everyone who showed up, engaged in meaningful conversation and took urgent action to protect the waters we are privileged to call ‘home’. A huge shoutout to False Creek Friends for making this happen. We’re looking forward to next year already!
Royal Victoria Yacht Club Marine Garage Sale (June 8th)
Our Clean Marine BC Assistants Hazel and Liz had their first event representing Clean Marine BC, GSA’s leading green boating program which focuses on spreading awareness about clean, environmental-conscious boating practices. By completing our Clean Boater Survey, boaters receive a bundle of free oil spill supplies and resources with information on clean boating, marine mammal distance regulations, invasive species, and more (you’ll also be entered to win cool prizes)! Keep an eye out and say hello; you’ll be seeing Hazel and Liz at events and marinas around Victoria, Saanich, and the Gulf Islands this summer!
Whales are in Our Nature (June 8-11th)
Beatrice, GSA Executive Director, joined The Pew Charitable Trusts, Canadian Wildlife Federation, and Oceans North to convene for a week of collaboration and knowledge exchange on whale-safe fishing gear, underwater noise reduction, and the protection of critical marine habitats across Canada.
The week opened with remarks from the Honourable Joanne Thompson, setting a strong tone for ocean stewardship, science-based decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration. Throughout the week, government, industry, Indigenous leaders, researchers, and NGOs worked together to advance practical, coordinated solutions for marine conservation.
Discussions also extended to Parliament Hill, where Beatrice engaged on proposed approaches to major project approvals and the importance of maintaining strong safeguards for species at risk, especially Southern Resident Killer Whales. Exchanges included dialogue with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as Members of Parliament Wade Grant and Patrick Weiler, and Minister Steven Guilbeault.
The week closed with a strong focus on Indigenous leadership in ocean governance, including local monitoring, guardianship, harvesting practices, and spatial tools for whale protection and sustainable ocean use. As next steps unfold, continued engagement with federal partners and decision-makers will be important to advance coordinated, science-based action for whale conservation and healthy oceans across Canada.
Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival Celebration (June 14th)
The day began with the arrival of the S-yewens lhems sila (Spirit of our Grandmothers) Canoe Family and the Yenka Dene (People of the Land) canoe. As they came ashore, we joined shíshálh Nation Elder Calvin Craiganto, who received them on the beach, while Alfonso Salinas and his grandfather welcomed the community and officially opened the celebration. Organized by the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, the event brought together community members, Indigenous leaders, youth advocates, and environmental organizations in a shared commitment to protecting the ocean. We were especially grateful to be joined by five members of West Sechelt Elementary’s Orca Club! We sold T-shirts and badges featuring their own designs to raise funds for our work.
The Orca Club is also taking action beyond fundraising. The students will be writing a letter to the federal government expressing their concerns about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plan to fast-track infrastructure and fossil fuel projects. Weakening protections for at-risk species could place Southern Resident orcas at even greater risk of extinction.
As the day wound down, we gathered for an impromptu roundtable discussion with fellow nonprofits and community groups doing incredible work for the ocean and climate. Representatives from My Sea to Sky, Seniors for Climate Action Now, and other local organizations shared ideas, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration. Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and helped make the day such a meaningful celebration of the ocean, and big shout out to Sunshine Coast Conservation Association for putting on another fantastic Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival!