June 4th: Silence is not an option in Canada

Things are not going well for environmental protection on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Since Canadian voters elected a majority conservative government and PM, an all out slashing of social and environmental programs is underway. Programs that have long supported environmental protection and science are falling away. The most immediate [...]

Fisheries Act changes introduced amid debate over new law’s intent

Canada’s new conservative government continues to strip away environmental protections… ————————————— The Harper government unveiled a massive omnibus budget implementation bill Thursday that includes Fisheries Act amendments that will strip the term “habitat” from the most crucial section of the law. The government’s intent, according to a spokeswoman, to assist “everyday Canadians” in their dealings [...]

Winter Herring Quota in Canada could be ‘catastrophic’

Winter herring quota could be ‘catastrophic’ This year’s Strait of Georgia herring fishery opened on November 7 with a quota of 6,000 tons, a massive increase on last year’s 283 tons. Raincoast Conservation Foundation is asking for a moratorium on the herring fishery until stocks have recovered, especially in light of the recent announcement of [...]

Marine Anemia Cover Up in B.C.

This just in from Alexandra Morton, the leading scientist opposing net pen aquaculture. If you have any question about the safety of net pen aquaculture, or the lengths that entrenched bureaucracy will go to support the unsupportable, then not only read the info below, but follow the link to Morton’s web site and read the [...]

Canadian oil boom may bring many more tankers to Northwest waters

6/11 Seattle Times Canadian oil boom may bring many more tankers to Northwest waters By Craig Welch Seattle Times environment reporter In the icy oil fields of Alberta, gargantuan machines traverse open-pit mines to access one of the greatest oil deposits on Earth: Canada’s oil sands. That massive store of energy has touched off political [...]

Canada, U.S. may restrict chinook salmon harvest to benefit killer whales

2/3/11 Vancouver Sun Canada, U.S. may restrict chinook salmon harvest to benefit killer whales By LARRY PYNN, Vancouver Sun Fishermen in Canada and the U.S. may have to give up part of their lucrative chinook salmon catch to help the recovery of endangered resident killer whales. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in [...]