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 […]
Study Confirms Marine Protected Areas Boost Fish Populations
A major study assessing California’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has confirmed that when properly designed and enforced, MPAs significantly increase fish populations, particularly among species targeted by fisheries. The findings, published in Conservation Biology, provide important insights as British Columbia is looking to implement its own network of MPAs, called the Great Bear Sea Marine […]
DFO Increases Herring Quota Despite Warnings of Stock Decline
The bureaucrats at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) have approved an increase in the commercial Pacific herring harvest in the Strait of Georgia (SOG), despite concerns from Saanich Peninsula hereditary chiefs about declining herring stocks and potential impacts on the marine ecosystem. In November 2024, six WSÁNEĆ chiefs called for an immediate moratorium on herring […]
Meet The Anglerfish of British Columbia
British Columbia’s deep waters are home to some of the ocean’s most mysterious and bizarre creatures, including anglerfish. There are many different types of anglerfish, but they all share the defining trait of possessing a bioluminescent lure, with the glow coming from what scientists call “borrowed” bioluminescence. The bioluminescence is borrowed because tiny glowing bacteria […]
Telegraph Cove Fire: Community Looks to Restore Vital Economic Engine
On December 31, 2024, a fire tore through Telegraph Cove, a historic village on northern Vancouver Island, destroying key landmarks and disrupting the regional economy. Despite having just 20 year-round residents, Telegraph Cove is a powerhouse of sustainable tourism, drawing 120,000 visitors annually. The village’s boardwalk, heritage buildings, and Whale Interpretive Centre made it a […]
Millions of Seabirds Lost to Record-Breaking Heat Wave
A single marine heatwave between 2014 and 2016, known as “The Blob,” wiped out an estimated four million common murres on the West Coast. This catastrophic event, triggered by record-high ocean temperatures, is described as the largest wildlife mortality event of its kind in modern history. The findings, published Thursday in Science, highlight how the […]