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Press
Statement: Conservation groups respond to decision not to issue emergency protections for endangered whales
The federal government announced today that it refuses to issue an emergency order to protect endangered killer whales under the Species at Risk Act, despite the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans’ recommendation to do so. David Suzuki Foundation, Ecojustice, Georgia Strait Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and WWF-Canada…
Read more »Conservation groups take ministers to court to protect endangered killer whales
Six conservation organizations are launching a new lawsuit aimed at protecting endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The suit comes less than a month after a killer whale mother carried her deceased calf for an unprecedented 17 days, drawing worldwide attention to the imminent threats facing the genetically unique population of whales. Ecojustice lawyers asked the Federal Court to review the…
Read more »Conservation organizations respond to Province’s fish farm announcement
It's too long for wild salmon
Vancouver, B.C.—In response to the B.C. government’s announcement this week to introduce new rules for renewing fish farm leases beginning in 2022, conservation groups Georgia Strait Alliance, Watershed Watch and Living Oceans have issued the following statement: “Yesterday’s policy announcement by the Province is a significant step towards defending wild salmon against the threats posed by open net-pen salmon farms.…
Read more »Georgia Strait Alliance shocked as Feds bailout Kinder Morgan’s Texan investors
In response to today’s announcement by federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau that the government will spend $4.5 billion to purchase the existing assets of Kinder Morgan Canada and another unknown billions of dollars to construct the pipeline, the Executive Director of Georgia Strait Alliance Christianne Wilhelmson said: “This is an unprecedented decision and the worst possible outcome imaginable. Investors in…
Read more »Groups applaud feds’ fisheries announcement
Renew call for killer whale emergency order
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…
Read more »Festival of Ocean Films travels to Victoria and Pender Harbour
Official film selection celebrates oceans, orcas and ecosystems
The Festival of Ocean Films, hosted by Georgia Strait Alliance, is on the road to mark its 9th year, travelling to Victoria on May 30 and to the Sunshine Coast’s Pender Harbour on June 9. This year’s screenings carry strong messages about the current state of the world’s oceans to honour World Oceans Day, while also serving to inspire audiences…
Read more »Government is Failing to Protect Wild Salmon from Salmon Farms
Confirms Auditor General report; conservation groups agree
Vancouver—Today, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Julie Gelfand, made it clear that Fisheries and Oceans Canada is not doing enough to monitor and manage the salmon farming industry to protect wild fish and their ecosystems. “This is more evidence that DFO is failing to protect BC wild salmon,” said Stan Proboszcz of Watershed Watch. “The audit highlights…
Read more »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…
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