All posts by Rochelle Baker

Rochelle Baker is a staff reporter with Canada’s National Observer, thanks thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC’s Lower Mainland for over 7 years.
Rivers & Oceans

In wake of right whale’s death, feds launch overdue whale-safe gear strategy

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada has rolled out its overdue whale-safe fishing gear strategy days after an endangered North Atlantic right whale, known as Division, died from entanglement after more than a month of suffering. 

The four-year old male, which had been spotted in Canadian waters during the summer, was next sighted off the Georgia coast in early December severely ensnared by fishing lines cutting across his head and blowhole. Rescue crews were able to remove some of the gear and continued efforts to track and intercept the whale — but its health continued to decline before being confirmed dead on Jan. 27. 

Continue reading In wake of right whale’s death, feds launch overdue whale-safe gear strategy →
Rivers & Oceans

Canada’s oceans provide billions in value beyond fish

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada’s healthy oceans are worth billions more than what can simply be extracted from them.

Oceans and coastal ecosystems generated at minimum $7.1 billion in benefits in 2023, new figures from Statistics Canada suggest. 

Continue reading Canada’s oceans provide billions in value beyond fish →
Rivers & Oceans

Appeal court ruling backs Discovery Islands salmon farm closures

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Conservationists and many First Nations are celebrating a Federal Court of Appeal decision that upholds the closure of salmon farms in BC’s Discovery Islands. 

A battle over the ultimate fate of open-net pen salmon farms in the region’s waters, between the mainland and northeastern Vancouver Island, has spanned close to five years. 

Continue reading Appeal court ruling backs Discovery Islands salmon farm closures →
Animals, Rivers & Oceans

Social smarts help BC humpbacks adapt as oceans change

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Whale researcher Janie Wray vividly remembers the first time she saw humpbacks bubble-net feeding on the northern BC coast more than 20 years ago.

First, the mournful calls begin at depth, followed by a perfect ring of bubbles rising through the water. Moments later, herring scatter and flash as they leap from the ocean as up to a dozen humpbacks surge upwards in unison, breaking the surface with their maws agape.

Continue reading Social smarts help BC humpbacks adapt as oceans change →
Rivers & Oceans

Canada is claiming credit for tackling ghost gear, despite scuttling funding

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada continues to tout itself as a “world leader” in tackling ghost gear’s threats to marine life and coastal communities even though funding for the program dried up in 2024. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO’s) former investments to address abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, were axed without explanation by the federal Liberals more than a year ago, said Gord Johns, NDP MP for the Courtenay-Alberni riding on Vancouver Island. 

Core pillars of the ghost gear program to retrieve the plastic pollution and responsibly dispose of, recycle, or return ghost gear, have been cut completely, or dramatically scaled back, since the program launched in 2020, Johns said. What’s more, Ottawa remains silent about future ghost gear funding after the release of the recent budget in November.

Continue reading Canada is claiming credit for tackling ghost gear, despite scuttling funding →