National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The federal government is touting lofty goals at the United Nations biodiversity conference underway in Montreal, but Ottawa is failing to save iconic salmon and steelhead trout populations on the edge of extinction, B.C. conservation groups say.
Continue reading Endangered salmon are left to flounder as Canada hosts COP15
By Kaitlyn Bailey, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The North Pacific humpback whale population is still at risk with a recommended status of “special concern”, announced the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) on Dec. 8.
Since commercial whaling for humpbacks was outlawed in 1966, the North Pacific population has been slowly growing, COSEWIC stated. They added that more than 4,000 whales spend time off the coast of B.C., but there are still risks.
Continue reading Endangered wildlife committee keeps B.C’s humpback whales on the listNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Editor’s note: In addition to being marine tourist destinations close to a principal British Columbian shipping lane, Cortes, Quadra and Read Islands are visited by both the northern and southern pods of Killer Whales
University of British Columbia engineers are working to help clear up the acoustic smog that hinders endangered orcas’ ability to gather information vital to their survival.
Chronic underwater noise from shipping can drown out sounds marine mammals — such as the southern resident killer whales — use and rely on to communicate with each other, navigate, avoid danger or locate their prey.
Continue reading West Coast engineers aim to clear up acoustic smog impacting endangered killer whales
Originally published on qathet Living
By Abby McLennan
We found the infamous ‘Tire Island’ in early June while out scouting for potential shoreline cleanup projects.
Sailors, boaters and even BC Ferry passengers had gawked at this island for years. In the idyllic waters of the Salish Sea, a small islet off Nelson Island had grown a mountain of off-rim vehicle tires.
Continue reading Tire Island:Tired to Tireless
Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI) has embarked upon a campaign to inform the public who they are and what they do. Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick provided Cortes Currents with a concise description of the organization.
“The Harbour Authority is a nonprofit organization, which is made up of an eight volunteer board of directors. All of whom are local year round, residents and are actively involved in boating on Cortes, either commercial fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, or as recreational boaters. Under contract with Small Craft Harbours, the Harbour Authority is responsible for the operation and basic maintenance of the four government docks on the island: Squirrel Cove, Manson’s Landing, Cortes Bay, and Gorge Harbour,” she said. “We also operate the Whaletown Dock, which was formally divested from Transport Canada in 2009. The Harbour Authority actually owns that dock outright.”
Continue reading Harbour Authority Cortes Island: The Small Craft Harbours connection
