Category Archives: Rivers & Oceans

Rivers & Oceans

The race is on to spy on Canada’s whales from space

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Scientists on Canada’s coasts are exploring the use of satellites to surveil whales and other ocean “megafauna” to better monitor and protect at-risk ocean species. 

The rapid advance of very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery and dropping costs are providing conservationists with opportunities to locate, count and monitor wildlife and their critical habitat from the cosmos. The technique is especially helpful in remote areas or expanses of ocean that are difficult for scientists to access. 

Continue reading The race is on to spy on Canada’s whales from space →
Rivers & Oceans

Low seasonal return of chum salmon to spawning grounds ‘a mystery,’ say local monitors

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

So far, monitoring of creeks and streams on Cortes Island indicates a very poor return of chum salmon to their spawning grounds this year, according to Christine and Cec Robinson. They’re longtime members of the local stream keepers project, overseen by the conservation and stewardship organization Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). Monitoring of the chum return occurs from mid-September to early December each year.

Continue reading Low seasonal return of chum salmon to spawning grounds ‘a mystery,’ say local monitors →
Rivers & Oceans

70% of the fish farms sampled had PRV-1, study finds

1 Comment

A new study published by the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, states that 70% of the samples taken from 56 fish farms had PRV-1.

One of the co-authors is independent biologist Alexandra Morton, who explained, “The study was my concept and I funded a lot of the analysis and did a lot of the sampling myself. It was truly collaborative with Clayoquot Action sampling the Farms in Clayoquot Sound. An extraordinary man, Dr. Neil Fraser from Powell River got in his speed boat and went to the central coast. The Wild Fish Conservancy down in Washington State, sampled farms there. So it was  a sustained effort by a lot of people, and then Dr. Gideon Mordecai did the analysis of the relationship between the different strains that we picked up.”

Continue reading 70% of the fish farms sampled had PRV-1, study finds →
Rivers & Oceans

No Chum in Basil Creek yet, but the outlook for salmon may be improving

It is November 26 and there are still no Chum Salmon in Basil Creek. Normally they would have returned a month ago, but there was a prolonged drought this year. While the water level has risen, there are still no fish.

“It’s getting to be late for Chum, but we’re seeing other populations come in late. We might see Chum return into the next few weeks, it’s very possible. This year is definitely characterized by a lot of weird conditions,” said Matthew Clarke, DFO’s Head for stock assessment in North Vancouver Island, from Black Creek to Cape Caution (which is actually on the Mainland). His area also includes Cortes and Quadra Islands.    

Continue reading No Chum in Basil Creek yet, but the outlook for salmon may be improving →
Animals, Environment, Rivers & Oceans

Long Story Shorts with Hakai on FolkU @89.5FM

Explore the magic of scientific storytelling with the creators and scientists from the Hakai Institute who join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie and Cortes Island Academy students on this Friday’s Folk U Radio at 1 p.m.

We will discuss science communication done well and Hakai’s new short video series, including:

Continue reading Long Story Shorts with Hakai on FolkU @89.5FM →