Tag Archives: Humpback Whales

Animals, Rivers & Oceans

Number of marine species at risk in Salish Sea more than doubled, report says

A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states “the total number of marine species at risk in the Salish Sea has doubled from 2002 to 2015.” 

The accompanying map shows they are referring to an area that stretches from the Puget Sound to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and north beyond  Cortes and Quadra Islands. Christianne Wilhelmsen executive director of the Georgia Strait Alliance, explained this is because the EPA thinks of the Salish Sea as whole entity, rather than dividing it between two nations. While a few of the entries are American, most of the species listed are accompanied by terms like ‘COSEWIC‘, ‘B.C.’ and ‘Canada,’ which shows they come from Canadian sources.

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Environment, Indigenous Nations

Coastal First Nations take steps to protect wild waters of Great Bear Rainforest

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A coalition of coastal First Nations has achieved a significant step towards protecting the wild shores and waters of the Great Bear Rainforest on B.C’s central coast. 

The Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv nations signed an agreement with Ottawa and the province of B.C. to do a feasibility study for a national marine conservation area reserve encompassing a significant section of the coast and offshore marine waters alongside the Great Bear Rainforest (GBR). 

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Rivers & Oceans

Coast Guard ramps up protection for whales

By Quinn Bender, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Canadian Coast Guard has established a first-of-its-kind division to elevate safeguards against human-caused deaths and injuries to whales in B.C. waters. 

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Rivers & Oceans

Straitwatch: the Discovery Island’s ‘whale police’

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A putrid stink wafts across the water and engulfs the Straitwatch vessel floating off the southern end of Quadra Island.

The Zodiac’s operator, Alex Forman, wrinkles his nose at the odour that hangs in the air, strongly reminiscent of fermented garbage.

“Whale breath,” he explains. “Humpbacks don’t brush their teeth much.”

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Environment

The Woman Who Makes FOCI’s Species At Risk Gift Cards

Elizabeth Anderson has enjoyed artwork since she was old enough to hold a pencil or crayon. As a little girl, she used to make paint out of crushed berries. Art was Elizabeth’s major in Berkeley. It has been a passion, albeit not a means of livelihood, throughout her life. One of her most recent projects is a series of Species at Risk gift cards for the Friends of Cortes Island Society (FOCI). 

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