Conservation groups are applauding today’s announcement from Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna that endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales face “imminent threats” to their survival and recovery. Prompted by this assessment, the Ministers also announced immediate fisheries closures in key Southern Resident foraging areas. Faced with declining populations of Chinook…
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Community-business-Indigenous leaders launch ‘Declaration in Defence of Wild Salmon’
Asks BC-ers to support removal of open net-pen fish farms
Today in Vancouver, a diverse group of B.C. community, Indigenous, and business leaders announced the launch of the “Declaration in Defence of Wild Salmon”. The declaration seeks to draw together the growing number of voices calling on the B.C. government to take action on salmon farming by refusing to renew fish farm leases when they expire in June, 2018. The…
Read more »Conservation groups put ministers on notice over Southern Resident killer whale protections
Without action, extinction is near
VANCOUVER – Conservation groups are putting Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Dominic LeBlanc on notice as the groups race to secure protection for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. In an April 4 letter sent on behalf of David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, Raincoast Conservation Foundation and…
Read more »Washington State Phases Out Salmon Farms
BC Groups congratulate Governor Inslee on signing the bill into law today
VANCOUVER: BC groups hailed the move by Washington State today to phase out salmon farming in State waters at the conclusion of current leases. The Bill, passed by both houses of government, was signed into law by Governor Inslee this morning. “It was a victory for the precautionary principle,” said Stan Proboszcz of Watershed Watch Salmon Society. “There are just…
Read more »Georgia Strait Alliance releases first-ever State of the Waterfront Report for Vancouver
There is a significant gap in the city’s waterfront planning
Vancouver, BC — Vancouver’s waterfront, which spans from saltwater in Burrard Inlet to freshwater in the Fraser River, is showing the stresses of a shoreline that lacks a comprehensive approach to considering the sustainability and accessibility of waterfront areas throughout the city. Georgia Strait Alliance, a regional marine conservation non-profit, has measured and tracked five key trends that demonstrate the…
Read more »Province proposes restrictions on increased bitumen transport
Georgia Strait Alliance commends measures as needed protection for coastal communities and local waters
Today, the Province announced five possible new regulations aimed at protecting our region from the threats of transporting bitumen and heavy oil. Included is the intention, that while a Science Panel conducts research into the unique properties and behaviour of bitumen, that the Province will restrict increases in the transport of this substance. In response, Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director of…
Read more »Feds to increase approach distance to 200m from orcas
On October 26, 2017, the federal government announced it will enact an enforceable requirement for all water-based vessels to maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from southern resident killer whales beginning by next spring. In response, the Executive Director of Georgia Strait Alliance, Christianne Wilhelmson, made the following statement: “With this policy, the federal government is strengthening the current…
Read more »Time is running out to fend off orca extinction
Federal government’s orca symposium failed to establish concrete action on recovery measures, say seven conservation groups
The federal government’s southern resident killer whale Symposium, held as part of the Oceans Protection Plan this week in Vancouver, failed to identify concrete actions to ensure the recovery of the endangered killer whales, according to seven environmental organizations. “Threats to southern residents are well-documented and to support recovery we need to be implementing tangible measures immediately,” says Christianne Wilhelmson,…
Read more »GSA responds to Province’s announcement on Kinder Morgan
Province confirms that Kinder Morgan’s pipeline project has not met five conditions
The Province of BC cannot support Kinder Morgan’s application for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion based on the evidence the company has filed to date with the National Energy Board (NEB), the Ministry of Environment said this morning. “During the course of the NEB review, the company [Kinder Morgan] has not provided enough information around its proposed spill prevention and…
Read more »New poll shows majority of British Columbians want Kinder Morgan review halted
Sixty-eight per cent of British Columbians favour halting the National Energy Board’s review of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline proposal to allow the federal government to complete a promised overhaul of Canada’s environmental assessment process, according to a poll released today by Justason Market Intelligence. There is agreement in all parts of the province that the Kinder Morgan review should…
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