The struggle continues to remove fish farms from BC waters

At GSA, we have been considering two significant and very recent developments (both transpiring in June 2024) regarding open net-pen fish farms: The hard-fought victory of fish farms remaining shut in the Discovery Islands, which was possible only with the leadership and stewardship of First Nations. The federal government extending its timeline by four additional … Continue reading

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Perspective on change

It’s hard to believe that in all the more than 18 years we’ve been taking annual kayak trips in coastal BC, that we’ve never had the experience of seeing orcas in the water while paddling but we hadn’t. We’d seen orcas in the wild while sitting in camp, but this year we were out on … Continue reading

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Vancouver Island Closed Containment Facility Open for Business!

I had the remarkable experience a couple of weeks ago of witnessing the last stages of construction of a home-grown, land-based, recirculating closed containment salmon farm. The facility is being built to prove the economic good sense of growing salmon in a way that doesn’t threaten the survival of wild salmon. Namgis Nation is now … Continue reading

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Cohen said…

It seems everyone has found quotes in the final report from the Cohen commission to back up their established position on open net cage salmon farms. The industry claims that he found no problem with the farms and people who have been concerned about the farms for years are calling for their immediate removal. Who’s … Continue reading

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Singing in the key of “Green” at Vancouver Folk Fest

Friday, July 13th heralded the start of the 35thannual Vancouver Folk Fest.  Refreshingly debunking superstition, Friday dawned beautiful and sunny, setting the tone for a fabulous weekend of fresh air, great music, and fun. GSA’s table was in the Community Village, which Festival organizers thoughtfully situated on the main thoroughfare through the Festival grounds. The … Continue reading

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More paddling action in the Lower Mainland and good local food on the Island

Paddling action on the beach near Jericho Sailing CentrePhoto credit: Deanna McGillivray After a couple of days spent in the office in Nanaimo, Deanna and I were eager to get out for more outreach action. I think that the more you get involved in discussing environmental issues with the public, the more passionate you get … Continue reading

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A Weekend of Paddling and Patriotism: MEC Paddlefest in Victoria and Canada Day, Nanaimo style

Isabelle and I spent Saturday manning the GSA Booth at MEC’s Paddlefest Celebration at Willow’s Beach in Victoria. Although the clouds looked ominous and threatening all day, the paddling conditions were perfect as the water was as smooth as glass. The event featured many interesting paddling demonstrations and clinics, including a fascinating presentation on gourmet … Continue reading

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A trek to MEC Bikefest and a tasting of Vancouver Island’s Farmers Markets

  BMX performer Travis Collier at MEC BikefestPhoto credit: Isabelle Gendron-Lemieux Deanna and I departed for Vancouver last Friday night to attend MEC Bikefest. Feeling ambitious and in the spirit of alternative transportation, we decided to go car-less. We thus embarked on the ferry rolling our tent and our display material on a trolley. After braving … Continue reading

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Breezy BC Shellfish Fest, and a care-free Car-Free Day

  Isabelle and Deanna enjoying the novelty of lying in the street at Car-Free.   Isabelle and I attended BC ‘s largest Shellfish Fest in the lovely town of Comox last Saturday. My, but it was a blustery day! We got a workout chasing after brochures and foiling our crafty tent’s repeated escape attempts. … Continue reading

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Government agencies failing to protect wild salmon

Recent reports of the presence of the deadly ISA virus in B.C. wild salmon seem to have alarmed everyone except those meant to be taking care of the wild salmon. Rather than taking immediate measures to determine the extent of this threat, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency leaped … Continue reading

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