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

Strategy to address abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels

GSA view on tackling abandoned vessel problem

Transport Canada, Environmental Policy Place de Ville, Tower C – 26th Floor 330 Sparks Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5 VIA EMAIL Eric Huberdeau, Manager and Policy Adviser Nicole Legault, Director, Sustainable Transportation System Policy Dear Mr. Huberdeau and Ms. Legualt: Re: Strategy to address abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels Let me take this opportunity to commend Transport Canada for taking…

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Royal Victoria Yacht Club achieves four-anchor rating in Clean Marine BC Program

The eco-certification requires adherence to rigid environmental standards

Royal Victoria Yacht Club’s (RVYC) Cadboro Bay marina has earned a four-anchor certification in Georgia Strait Alliance’s award-winning Clean Marine BC program for its commitment to environmentally sustainable operations. A flag raising ceremony is being held at the Club at noon on August 19. Clean Marine BC is a voluntary eco-certification program that demonstrates a commitment to environmental best practices…

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Addressing pleasure craft pollution in the 2017 Budget

The Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P. Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance Via email: finapbc-cpb@parl.gc.ca Dear Mr. Easter: Re: Addressing pleasure craft pollution in the 2017 Budget Our interest in the federal budget consultations is in regards to protecting the Georgia Strait’s marine and shoreline environments, and the species, communities and economies that depend on them,…

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Citizens set to pack Kinder Morgan public meetings to show lack of social license in BC

Groups expect huge pent up citizen demand to be heard on the unacceptable risks of the project the NEB has so far refused to hear.

The Kinder Morgan pipeline review panel announced today their community meetings schedule to hear from communities impacted by the potential pipeline and tanker expansion project. Community groups, First Nations, and environmental groups expect the meetings will be highly attended by supporters whose voices have been shut out of previous processes. “We’re seeing a massive amount of energy from our community…

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No social license for Kinder Morgan pipeline

Georgia Strait Alliance reacts to NEB recommendation

Today, the National Energy Board recommended that Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project be approved, subject to 157 conditions. The federal Cabinet will consider the NEB’s report, along with the feedback from a new round of federal public consultation to be conducted over the summer and fall, before making a final decision on the project by December 2016. In…

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Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films returns June 5th

Sport, marine life and the illegal wildlife trade top selections at Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films

The Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films (VFOF) returns on June 5th, with an array of short documentaries, and a feature film from Academy Award-winning American director Louie Psihoyos. Films focus on the the ocean as a place for adventure, sport, responsible commerce but, most importantly, as a home to unique wilderness that merits respect and protection. The Festival coincides with…

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Saltspring Island Sailing Club is first in the Southern Gulf Islands

The audited eco-certification requires adherence to rigid environmental standards

Saltspring Island Sailing Club (SISC) has become certified by Georgia Strait Alliance’s award-winning Clean Marine BC program, making it the first boating facility in the Southern Gulf Islands to be recognized for its commitment to environmentally sustainable operations. A flag raising ceremony will be held at the club on May 1. Eric van Soeren – photo…

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Oil spill threat remains one year after English Bay spill

Environmental group welcomes spill response reforms, but bitumen is the elephant in the room

Today marks one year since the grain ship Marathassa spilled thousands of litres of bunker fuel into Vancouver’s English Bay. The response operation that followed was widely criticized, and highlighted serious problems with the systems in place for spill response on BC’s west coast. One year later, both the federal and provincial governments have brought forward new initiatives to strengthen spill…

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Greater Victoria Harbour Authority achieves Clean Marine BC four-anchor rating

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has achieved a four-anchor rating from Clean Marine BC for its marinas, increasing their eco-rating certification since the 2012 audit. The Fisherman’s Wharf, Lower Causeway & Ship Point, Wharf Street and Johnson Street, and Mermaid’s Wharf marinas were awarded an overall score of 88.7% for their programs and initiatives that reduce environmental impacts such as…

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BC Salmon Farmers Assoc report makes unsubstantiated claims

Georgia Strait Alliance urges Cohen Inquiry recommendations to be implemented

Vancouver – BC’s salmon farming industry has cherry picked data to misrepresent the role and impacts that open net cage salmon farms play in amplifying sea lice levels on wild juvenile salmon. Georgia Strait Alliance finds it irresponsible for this industry to dismiss scientific evidence that sea lice pose serious health consequences, including death, to wild juvenile salmon, which are…

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