Category Archives: Rivers & Oceans

Rivers & Oceans

Tussle over sea lice science unfolds as a federal decision on Discovery Islands salmon farms looms

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Critics and supporters of West Coast fish farms are at odds over a recent Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) study suggesting sea lice infestations among juvenile wild salmon aren’t strongly tied to aquaculture operations. 

Using industry-reported data, the aquaculture division of DFO analyzed the likelihood that sea lice from salmon farms are causing sea lice outbreaks in wild fish in four areas on the coast.  

There’s a trend showing a positive relationship between the amount of sea lice on farms and on juvenile chum and pink salmon in those areas between 2016 and 2021, but it’s “statistically insignificant,” the study said. 

Continue reading Tussle over sea lice science unfolds as a federal decision on Discovery Islands salmon farms looms →
Rivers & Oceans

SRD to look at ‘ALL helpful information’ about fish farms

Editor’s note: While there are no fish farms on Cortes Island, there was one on Raza Island directly north of us. The Discovery Island fish farms were in Electoral Area C.  The following article comes very close to being a transcript of my radio broadcast.  

The Strathcona Regional District passed a motion for staff to prepare a report that ‘consolidates the information on open net pen transition provided to the SRD Board prior to October 2022, and updates.’ 

Continue reading SRD to look at ‘ALL helpful information’ about fish farms →
Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

Feds and First Nations gearing up to host global ocean conservation summit

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ottawa and First Nations in B.C. are looking to amplify oceans as the best way to turn the tide on the twin spectres of biodiversity collapse and climate change, says federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Joyce Murray. 

Canada and West Coast First Nations — the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh — are hosting the fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) in Vancouver to spur change on the international protection of marine ecosystems, Murray told Canada’s National Observer. 

Continue reading Feds and First Nations gearing up to host global ocean conservation summit →
Rivers & Oceans, Transportation

Prince Rupert port set to ban cruise ships from dumping contaminated wastewater

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A second port on Canada’s West Coast is proposing a ban on cruise ships dumping contaminated and acidic wastewater while docked to protect the marine environment. 

The Port of Prince Rupert on B.C.’s north coast is taking public feedback until Feb. 5 on changes slated for 2023, including forbidding the open-loop scrubber systems that cruise ships use to clean their exhaust when burning dirty fuel. 

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Animals, Rivers & Oceans

Our neighbours, Pacific White Sided Dolphins – to cull or cultivate?

There have been numerous reports of Pacific White Sided Dolphins in our vicinity this past year. The most recent came from Powell River, where pods of around 200 dolphins were spotted from the shore on December 17th and again on December 28th. One of the reports from Campbell River mentioned more than 100 swimming through Discovery Passage. On their website, Wildwaterways Adventures describes this species in its list of wildlife that fill the Discovery Islands. According to the Times Colonist, “After 100 years of absence, large numbers of Pacific White Sided Dolphins are back in the northern part of British Columbia’s Salish Sea.” 

Continue reading Our neighbours, Pacific White Sided Dolphins – to cull or cultivate? →