Sunflower Sea Stars: The Ocean’s Many-Armed Gardeners
Among the distinguished creatures of BCs coastal waters, the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) stands out as a true ocean giant. With as many as 20 flexible arms radiating from its central body, it’s one of the largest and fastest sea stars in the world, gliding with surprising ease along the seafloor. Identifying the Sunflower […]
Fish Farm Closures Linked to Fraser Sockeye Surge
The Fraser River’s unexpectedly strong sockeye salmon returns this year have renewed calls to accelerate the removal of open-net fish farms from BC’s coastal waters. Marine scientists, First Nations leaders, and wild salmon experts say the surge, with some runs six times higher than forecast, is evidence that removing fish farms from key migration routes […]
Freed Entangled Whale “Starry Knight” Seen Breaching and in Healthy Condition
The young humpback whale Starry Knight, seen entangled near Sooke on July 14 and later freed by rescuers, was spotted breaching near Galiano Island just two weeks later—an inspiring sign that recovery is underway. “Now we’ll be able to note this tragic event in Starry Knight’s life, follow its recovery, and hopefully see it return […]
Cockerell’s Nudibranch: A Jewel of BC’s Coastal Waters
Among the most captivating residents of BC’s coast are the nudibranchs, commonly known as sea slugs. These shell-less molluscs are known for their vibrant colours and adorable appearance. One particularly fascinating species gracing BC’s waters is Cockerell’s nudibranch, Limacia cockerelli. This small but ecologically significant creature offers a window into the intricate web of life […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]