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Press
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…
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 »Deadline passes for protection of endangered orcas
Federal ministers fail to issue emergency order by conservation groups’ March 1 deadline
VANCOUVER – Conservation groups are calling for “urgent, enforceable action” to protect endangered orcas after federal ministers failed to recommend emergency protections by a March 1 deadline. “We’ve been informed that Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna are not prepared to make a decision about a recommendation at this time,…
Read more »Local businesses boost their bottom line with a healthy marine environment
Do most local businesses depend on marine habitat? The answer might be surprising
At first glance, it might not be apparent that many local businesses rely heavily on the unique waterways of British Columbia’s South Coast, but in fact thriving waterfront economies play a big role in everything from retail to trades. BC’s South Coast cities and towns are established provincial, national and international destinations to live, visit and vacation, with people drawn…
Read more »Groups urge federal government to protect Southern Resident killer whales
Calling on the Ministers to recommend Cabinet issue an emergency order
A coalition of conservation groups from Canada and the U.S. is calling on the Canadian government to take immediate action to protect Southern Resident killer whales. Today, Ecojustice sent a petition to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna on Tuesday, requesting the Ministers recommend Cabinet issue an emergency order under…
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