By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Offshore of Vancouver Island, in Nuu-chah-nulth waters 65 kilometers west of Hesquiat Harbour, lives a nursery of deep-sea octopuses brooding their eggs. This is one of four known octopus nurseries in the world, said DFO researcher Cherisse Du Preez.
Continue reading Deep-sea octopus nursery discovered in Nuu-chah-nulth waters
Sea lice are a serious problem for the fish farm sector, but a new study from the University of British Columbia has found there are viruses that prey upon them.
“In theory viruses might be deployed in a way in which they might be able to help control sea ice densities in aquaculture. I certainly wouldn’t be a proponent of that at this stage, and would strongly advise against that because we just don’t know enough about it,” explained senior author Dr. Curtis Suttle.
Continue reading The Viruses infecting Sea LiceEditor’s note: This is an opportunity for Cortes, Quadra and other Discovery Islanders.
North Island College is offering a free 20-day course for people who are unemployed, partially employed or precariously employed and wish to become deckhands, operate tourism related vessels or take the first step towards obtaining certification as tugboat operators.
“You have to be at least 16 years old, a resident of BC and have a social insurance number – so be a permanent resident of Canada. You must be ready to train. If you are unemployed, if you’re a high school student, if you’re in grade 11 or 12 and you’re 16 years of age, you can do this course. If you are only employed part-time because you can’t find full-time in what you want to do. If you are only employed seasonally or casually or precariously, you can apply to be part of this program,” explained Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce , which has partnered with the college on this project.
Continue reading North Island College offering free course for entry level marine employment
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The federal government says some new cruise ship pollution measures are now mandatory, but environmental groups say the move still doesn’t plug gaps that permit the ongoing contamination of some of Canada’s most sensitive coastlines.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced Friday that voluntary measures established last April on the discharge and treatment guidelines for sewage (black water) and grey water — which includes kitchen water, laundry detergent, cleaning products, food waste, cooking oils and grease as well as hazardous carcinogens and other pollutants — will be mandatory immediately under an interim order.
But the largest source of acidic waste water from cruise ships and other vessels will continue to flow into the ocean unabated, said Anna Barford, shipping campaigner for Stand.earth Canada.
Continue reading Canada’s new cruise ship rules don’t plug loopholes for major source of wastewater pollution
By Mina Kerr-Lazenby, North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Marine researchers are diving into the world of artificial intelligence to help solve an invisible problem: noise pollution, and the effect it has on local marine life.
Non-profit organization Clear Seas is researching how machine learning can help reduce the noise emitted from ships, with the goal of creating an underwater vessel that will tune and adjust its noise to adapt to whatever marine mammal, especially in regards to whales, is nearby.
Continue reading Ships to use AI to protect whales from underwater noise pollution
