Please direct all media inquiries to Allison Murray, Communications Associate, at allison [at] murraycommunications.org | 604-442-1846.

Three in four British Columbians support a ban on crude oil tanker traffic in BC’s inside coastal waters

Media Release: January 19, 2006 Political Parties asked to clarify for voters their positions on offshore oil and gas issues Vancouver-According to a new Mustel Group poll of 501 British Columbians, commissioned by the Dogwood Initiative and other not-for-profit groups, three out of four (75%) of British Columbians are opposed to oil tankers transporting crude oil through BC’s inside coastal…

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Methanex, Encana Violate 34-year old Oil Tanker Moratorium

Condensate tanker docked in Kitimat this weekend after passing through BC’s inside passageMedia Release: June 26, 2006 Vancouver- Oil tankers are being allowed to secretly enter BC’s fragile inside waters despite widespread public opposition and a 34-year old federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas activities, which includes oil tanker traffic. Natural Resources Canada most recently confirmed the moratorium in…

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Seismic blasting threatens B.C. marine life

Media Release: December 14, 2006 SOINTULA, B.C. — The public should be making a big noise over proposed seismic blasting that may injure or even kill marine life on the B.C. coast. Environmental groups are urging Canadians to tell Ottawa they oppose the plan, which would see 36 high-pressure air guns fired into coastal waters every 20-60 seconds, 24 hours…

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Strait of Georgia marine conservation action plan earns applause

October 3, 2002 For immediate release Victoria, BC — TheSouthern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA), announced today in Ottawa, will add significant protectionfor the marine environment of British Columbia’s south coast, according to a leading BC marine conservation group. The Georgia Strait Alliance applauds Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps for setting in motion…

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ESA Lawsuit Filed To Protect Puget Sound Orca Whales

Conservationists Fight Determination that Southern Residents Are “Not Significant” December 18, 2002 News release Today a coalition of environmental groups filed suit against the National Marine Fisheries Service to fight the Bush administration’s determination that Puget Sound’s Southern Resident killer whales are not ‘significant,’ precluding protection for the whales under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit was filed in…

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Imperiled killer whales get their day in U.S. court

Canadian groups make plea to protect transboundary whale population MEDIA RELEASE November 17, 2003 SEATTLE – Canadian conservation groups are joining their American allies in U.S. federal district court today in an attempt to protect the endangered ‘Southern Resident’ population of killer whales that share the international waters between British Columbia and Washington State. A coalition of American conservation groups…

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US Court overturns decision not to list Orca population as endangered

Festive news for imperiled Killer Whales MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release  December 18, 2003 VANCOUVER, BC – Canadian conservation groups are overjoyed by yesterday’s U.S. Federal Court decision that will greatly improve the Southern Resident orca whales’ chance of survival. United States District Court Judge Robert Lasnik overturned a controversial July 2002 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) decision that found…

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U.S. Government is forced to list Orca population as threatened

Festive news for imperilled Killer Whales December 16, 2004 VANCOUVER, BC – Canadian conservation groups are overjoyed by today’s announcement by the U.S. Federal government to list the Southern Resident population of Killer whales (Orcinus orca) under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Last year Sierra Legal, the Georgia Strait Alliance and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee joined their American…

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Backgrounder: Canadian groups intervene to save Killer Whales

Aug. 22, 2006 Killer Whale Facts Orcas, also known as Killer Whales, are actually members of the dolphin family.  Orcas are highly intelligent and are the highest predators in the food chain. Orcas live in matriarchal units comprised of a mother and one or more of her offspring. These units congregate into larger social groups known as pods. Biologists classify…

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Canadian groups intervene to save Killer Whales

US Court to hear Canadian views on Endangered Southern Resident Orcas Media Release August 22, 2006 VANCOUVER, BC – The US Federal Court ruled last Friday that it will grant Canadian environmental groups the right to participate in a lawsuit brought by industry groups. The industry groups are challenging the American government’s decision to protect the Southern Resident Orcas as…

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