Ocean Protection

Noctiluca scintillans, also known as red tide algae blooms, were spotted midway along the Patricia Bay beach walking path in North Saanich. (Photo of Courtesy of Frank Towler)

Poisonous algae bloom sparks ban on shellfish harvesting near Victoria

If the contaminated shellfish are eaten by humans there could be fatal side effects

 

A marine conservation area around the Gulf Islands is not currently on the horizon, according to Parks Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

Gulf Island marine conservation area not on Parks Canada’s radar

First pitched in 2011, proposal could create area off limits to shipping

 

The crew of the Strait Sentinel deploys a sweep system used to collect oil off the ocean’s surface. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Simulated oil spill off B.C. coast tests marine response

Crews from the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation deployed as part of biannual exercise

 

Mussels had a hard time in the dual heat and low tides. Here’s one from Vancouver Island’s west coast, cooked in a happier time. (Zoe Ducklow/file)

Unchecked climate change putting Salish Sea in hot water

Warming temperatures having a pronounced effect on Canada’s West Coast

Mussels had a hard time in the dual heat and low tides. Here’s one from Vancouver Island’s west coast, cooked in a happier time. (Zoe Ducklow/file)
A petition to the federal government aims to ban cephalopod farms in Canada. (Credit: Pixabay)

There are no octopus farms in Canada. BC SPCA, experts call on feds to keep it that way

Experts say practice not only morally questionable, but environmentally destructive too

A petition to the federal government aims to ban cephalopod farms in Canada. (Credit: Pixabay)
FILE – The Ocean Cleanup project’s latest iteration of plastic-collecting technology, the System 002, will leave Victoria and heads to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. (Photo courtesy of the Ocean Cleanup/ Twitter)

OPINION: Court case could kill progress on plastic pollution in Canada

‘The world is beginning to act to reduce the plastic crisis’

  • Mar 6, 2023
FILE – The Ocean Cleanup project’s latest iteration of plastic-collecting technology, the System 002, will leave Victoria and heads to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. (Photo courtesy of the Ocean Cleanup/ Twitter)
Waves and foam erupt from the Pacific Ocean during high tide at the mouth of the Quillayute River in La Push. (Black Press Media file photo)
Waves and foam erupt from the Pacific Ocean during high tide at the mouth of the Quillayute River in La Push. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Canadian Coast Guard ship called John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to the Explorer Seamount, Canada’s largest underwater mountain. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Oceana Canada celebrates commitment to protect B.C. Seamounts

Offshore area 4 times the size of Vancouver Island due to become protected

The Canadian Coast Guard ship called John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to the Explorer Seamount, Canada’s largest underwater mountain. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
An Harbour Air seaplane flies past a container ship anchored on English Bay, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada confirms protections for some marine areas but shipping pollution isn’t included

Wastewater from ships can include sulphur dioxide, carcinogens and heavy metals

  • Feb 13, 2023
An Harbour Air seaplane flies past a container ship anchored on English Bay, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced a moratorium on deep-sea mining at IMPAC5, a global ocean conservation summit. (Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)

Canada declares moratorium on deep-sea mining at global ocean conservation summit

More research needs to be done on potential impacts, says natural resources minister

  • Feb 13, 2023
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced a moratorium on deep-sea mining at IMPAC5, a global ocean conservation summit. (Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)
Joyce Murray, minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, rises during question period on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Ottawa. Federal politicians are expected to make a significant announcement on ocean protection during an international conference in Vancouver on how to take action on promises to protect the marine world made at recent global environment meetings. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Global ocean conservation conference in B.C. hopes to build on Montreal agreements

Significant announcements expected on ocean protection initiatives

Joyce Murray, minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, rises during question period on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Ottawa. Federal politicians are expected to make a significant announcement on ocean protection during an international conference in Vancouver on how to take action on promises to protect the marine world made at recent global environment meetings. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
This photo, taken in June of 2016, shows a PVC pipe geoduck tenure on Denman Island at low tide. Photo supplied

LETTER – Denman Island group opposes application for geoduck aquaculture

Dear editor, Mac’s Oysters Ltd., a local shellfish grower and processor, has…

  • Jan 25, 2023
This photo, taken in June of 2016, shows a PVC pipe geoduck tenure on Denman Island at low tide. Photo supplied
A Canadian Coast Guard vessel assesses the extent of damage from an oil spill off a cargo ship near Vancouver’s English Bay on Jan. 21. (Canadian Coast Guard/Twitter)

Container ship spills 60-100 litres of fuel near Vancouver’s English Bay

Coast guard using helicopter, drones to track extent of damage

A Canadian Coast Guard vessel assesses the extent of damage from an oil spill off a cargo ship near Vancouver’s English Bay on Jan. 21. (Canadian Coast Guard/Twitter)
Oceans are the planet’s greatest carbon sink, absorbing up to 30 per cent of the human-caused greenhouse gas emissions fuelling the climate crisis. Photo of Deepwater Horizon fire / US Coast Guard / Wikipedia

Why do oceans matter for climate change?

Oceans store a huge portion of human-generated heat

  • Jan 12, 2023
Oceans are the planet’s greatest carbon sink, absorbing up to 30 per cent of the human-caused greenhouse gas emissions fuelling the climate crisis. Photo of Deepwater Horizon fire / US Coast Guard / Wikipedia
Drone footage shows what appears to be a fluid slick emanating from a vessel precariously docked at the Deep Water Recovery property on the Baynes Sound shoreline.

Slick spotted at shipbreaking dock in Union Bay

MP Gord Johns says federal government is failing in its protection of the coastline

Drone footage shows what appears to be a fluid slick emanating from a vessel precariously docked at the Deep Water Recovery property on the Baynes Sound shoreline.
A lobster boat grounded on the rocks at the wharf in Stanley Bridge, P.E.I. on September 25, 2022 after post-tropical storm Fiona. Tides are rising, sands are shifting and coastlines are crumbling. As studies warn of rising seas and accelerated erosion resulting from climate change, coastal communities in Canada are wondering what the future holds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Brian McInnis

Climate Changed: Rising oceans, storm surges ‘disaster in slow motion’ for coasts

Seas have risen about 20 cm since the beginning of the 20th century

A lobster boat grounded on the rocks at the wharf in Stanley Bridge, P.E.I. on September 25, 2022 after post-tropical storm Fiona. Tides are rising, sands are shifting and coastlines are crumbling. As studies warn of rising seas and accelerated erosion resulting from climate change, coastal communities in Canada are wondering what the future holds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Brian McInnis
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks with members of the media after tabling legislation in the House of Commons, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 in Ottawa. The federal government has announced an investment of another $1.2 billion in its Ocean Protection Plan for 29 projects involving ocean safety, science and environmental safeguards. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Feds announce another $1.2 billion for ocean cleanup and protection

National preparation for releases of hazardous or noxious substances from ships part of what’s coming

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks with members of the media after tabling legislation in the House of Commons, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 in Ottawa. The federal government has announced an investment of another $1.2 billion in its Ocean Protection Plan for 29 projects involving ocean safety, science and environmental safeguards. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The location of the future whale sanctuary. (Image courtesy of The Whale Sanctuary Project)

Nova Scotia’s retirement home for captive whales facing obstacles, delays: documents

North America’s first coastal refuge is at least 5 years behind schedule

The location of the future whale sanctuary. (Image courtesy of The Whale Sanctuary Project)
A dead whale floats on the shore near Puerto Madryn, Argentina, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Argentine scientists are determining the reason for at least 13 whales dying in the area in the past few days. (AP Photo/Maxi Jonas)

VIDEO: 13 whales found dead in Argentina cause for concern, say scientists

Scientists waiting for autopsies to determine cause of death

A dead whale floats on the shore near Puerto Madryn, Argentina, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Argentine scientists are determining the reason for at least 13 whales dying in the area in the past few days. (AP Photo/Maxi Jonas)
Cod fill a box on a trawler off the coast of Hampton Beach, N.H., in an April 23, 2016 file photo. A new audit of Canada’s efforts to protect aquatic species at risk of going extinct says the federal government is biased against listing commercially valuable fish as needing protection. THE CANADIAN PRESS /AP/Robert F. Bukaty

VIDEO: Environment commissioner warns Canada failing to protect commercially valuable fish

Fisheries and Oceans Canada extremely slow to act on recommendations, commissioner says

Cod fill a box on a trawler off the coast of Hampton Beach, N.H., in an April 23, 2016 file photo. A new audit of Canada’s efforts to protect aquatic species at risk of going extinct says the federal government is biased against listing commercially valuable fish as needing protection. THE CANADIAN PRESS /AP/Robert F. Bukaty