The Cost of Bottom Trawling: “Marine Deforestation”, Massive Bycatch, and Losses of €11 Billion a Year in Europe
Scientists and marine researchers are calling for stronger regulations on bottom trawling in the UK and Europe, citing its damaging impact on seafloor habitats—an effect increasingly likened to marine deforestation—with estimated annual costs of up to €11 billion due to environmental and economic losses. The Impact of Bottom Trawling Bottom trawling has long been under […]
Newborn Orca A Sign of Hope for Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales
A rare moment of optimism has emerged in the Salish Sea. A newborn orca calf has been spotted in J pod—one of the three matrilines that make up the endangered southern resident killer whale (SRKW) population off British Columbia’s coast. The calf, now designated J63, was observed on April 6 near Victoria Harbour, swimming tightly […]
The Herring Roe Kill Fishery in British Columbia
Introduction: The Herring Roe Fishery Pacific herring are a keystone species in British Columbia’s marine food web, serving as a crucial food source for a variety of fish, including Chinook, coho, sockeye, halibut, lingcod, and different rockfish species; marine mammals, such as humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and seals; and seabirds, including common murres, rhinoceros […]
New Bigg’s Orca Calf Traces Lineage to SeaWorld Capture
A newly born Bigg’s killer whale spotted off the coast of British Columbia carries a powerful legacy—one tied to the final chapter of orca captures in North America. According to the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), the calf is a direct descendant of Wake, an orca who was seized by SeaWorld in 1976 before being […]
Ontario Man Fined $5,500 for Harvesting 312 Oysters—300 More Than Legal Limit
A Scarborough, Ontario man has been fined $5,500 after being caught harvesting 312 oysters—26 times the legal daily limit—while unlicensed and collecting from a prohibited area on Vancouver Island in August 2024. Raul Dumelod was convicted last month in Courtenay provincial court for exceeding the daily shellfish harvesting limit and fishing without a valid tidal […]
Study: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Help Secure Seafood and Nutrition
A new study published in One Earth explores the connection between marine protected areas (MPAs) and human nutrition, concluding that MPAs can improve not only ocean health but also the well-being of coastal communities that depend on marine foods. According to the study, MPAs—specifically those that allow for regulated, sustainable fishing—can play a critical role […]
Large Marine Protected Areas Show Promise for Boosting Tuna Stocks Nearby
A growing body of research suggests that well-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) are not only vital sanctuaries for marine life but can also deliver tangible benefits for commercial fisheries operating nearby. A new study has found compelling evidence that large, fully protected MPAs are contributing to increased tuna catches just outside their no-fishing zones. Spillover […]
North Sea Ship Collision Sparks Environmental Fears
A devastating ship collision in the North Sea this week has sparked renewed warnings about the dangers of transporting fossil fuels by sea—warnings that resonate deeply in British Columbia, where historical oil spills have left scars on both marine ecosystems and coastal communities. On March 10th, a Portugal-flagged cargo vessel, the Solong, collided with the […]
Krill and Herring at Risk: How Two Keystone Species Face Similar Threats in Antarctic and BC Waters
Once considered inexhaustible, Antarctic krill are now facing unprecedented pressures from climate change, industrial fishing, and pollution. Scientists warn that without stronger protection, the decline of these tiny crustaceans could have far-reaching consequences, both for the planet’s climate and for the marine species that depend on them for survival. Climate Change and Shrinking Habitat Antarctic […]
A New Daughter for J Pod: J62’s Birth Brings Hope to Endangered Southern Residents
The Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) community has welcomed a new member, offering a rare moment of hope for the struggling population. Researchers with the Center for Whale Research have confirmed that J62, a calf first sighted on January 1, is female. During a sighting on February 8 near San Juan Island, the young orca […]