Fishing communities welcome B.C. intention to reform licensing and quotas
The province says it’s moving toward an owner-operator system for quota and licenses as part of the Coastal Marine Strategy unveiled last week.
A fifth of a louse — environmental groups push for improvement in salmon farm rule change
A coalition of environmental groups is urging Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier to strengthen those conditions under the new licensing agreements that will last until the end of this decade.
B.C.’s vital Indigenous-led auxiliary is expanding
The nations that make up the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary are dotted up and down B.C. 's coastline and islands, making them uniquely poised to quickly respond to emergencies when government agencies aren’t available.
‘A long time coming’ B.C. joins other coastal regions with Coastal Marine Strategy
In a provincial first, British Columbia announced a comprehensive vision co-developed with First Nations to improve management of shared marine resources.
Fish harvesters help research rising acidity of oceans
Scientific research is expanding along the B.C. coast to better understand the effects of ocean acidification, and how to respond. The B.C.-based Tula Foundation recently announced 11 grant recipients will be working on the problem locally.
Chronicling 30 years of island preservation movements on the Salish Sea
A Q&A with award-winning author Sheila Harrington on her new book chronicling 30 years of conservation movements on British Columbia’s Gulf Islands.
Genesis of an island folk hero: Bob the “free wheelin” Turkey
Why did the turkey cross the road? To meet and greet adoring fans.
Who gets first dibs on water? BC Greens say farmers
The BC Green Party wants the province deal differently with drought to ensure farmers and the environment have priority access to water to flourish as climate change advances.
Ottawa urged to use emergency measures to save endangered whales from Trans Mountain shipping
A coalition of conservation groups has called for the use of emergency protections to protect endangered southern resident killer whales from the increased oil tanker traffic due to the expanded Trans Mountain (TMX) pipeline.
West Coast Indigenous-led marine conservation area gets global spotlight
The Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation's Gitdisdzu Lugyeks Marine Protected Area is getting international recognition but is being overlooked at home in Canada, falling victim to foot-dragging by the federal government.
Logging in watershed frustrates B.C. island residents
Quadra Island's Copper Bluffs residents are angry Mosaic Forest Management is logging sensitive areas in nearby watersheds — a move they believe puts the community at greater risk from drought and wildfire.
Sharing the fine art of cleaning herring
Sharing traditional skills and knowledge was part of the menu at the recent Island Indigenous Food Gathering near Port Alberni.
Indigenous food gathering nourishes culture and climate resiliency
First Nations from across Vancouver Island are gathering this week to celebrate and strengthen traditional food sovereignty and deepen Indigenous communities' response to climate impacts and other emergencies.
Satellites track the tiny silver fish hugely important to marine life
A new scientific endeavour has taken to the sky using high-tech drones and satellite images to understand better the annual spring herring spawn vital to salmon and wildlife on the West Coast.