Tag Archives: BC

Animals, Rivers & Oceans

Discovery Islands surfacing as a humpback hot spot

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s marvellously symbolic that Nick the humpback whale returns year after year with her offspring to the waters surrounding the Discovery Islands, wedged between B.C.’s remote central coast and Vancouver Island. 

She frequents the waters off Cortes Island near Whaletown — once a whaling station and rendering plant set up in 1868 as part of a colonial industry that eradicated humpbacks in the waters off eastern Vancouver Island by the early 20th century. 

Continue reading Discovery Islands surfacing as a humpback hot spot →
Rivers & Oceans, Tourism, Waste

Cruise ships self-reported compliance with new wastewater guidelines to Transport Canada

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The federal government says cruise ships operating in Canadian waters have overwhelmingly met the more stringent wastewater guidelines put in this spring.

However, critics say Transport Canada’s report is very light on details and the industry’s largest source of water pollution remains untreated. 

Continue reading Cruise ships self-reported compliance with new wastewater guidelines to Transport Canada →
Health

Organ donations remain a hard sell among some groups

By Gita Abraham, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Religions, beliefs, culture, and even local history influence what Canadians — especially immigrants — think should happen to the body after death. These beliefs and traditions surrounding death could impact medical research opportunities. 

In Ontario, medical schools depend on donated bodies to train future medical professionals. ‘Body donation’ involves a whole body given to schools of anatomy for educational and research purposes.

Continue reading Organ donations remain a hard sell among some groups →
Industry, Rivers & Oceans

Mining risks for Pacific Northwest salmon murky due to lack of transparent data

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The impact of mining on key salmon watersheds in northwestern Canada and the U.S. is impossible to gauge because of a lack of transparency and access to data.

That was one conclusion of a cross-border study involving a team of experts in salmon ecology, watershed science, mining policy that surveyed the intersection of mining risk with important salmon habitat, ranging from Montana to Alaska as well as B.C. and the Yukon.

Continue reading Mining risks for Pacific Northwest salmon murky due to lack of transparent data →
Indigenous Nations

‘It strengthened our people’: Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates 34th year

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ucluelet, BC – Almost every aspect of Nuu-chah-nulth life was enriched through whaling, said Huu-ay-aht Hereditary Whaling Chief Tom Mexsis Happynook.

Continue reading ‘It strengthened our people’: Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates 34th year →