Humpback whales are riding a crosscurrent of hope and concern
A record number of humpbacks were documented in 2022. But as the resident whales' population grows on West Coast, so do the dangers to the species of special concern.
From fish to forests, how 2022 played out on Canada’s West Coast
First Nations, forests and fish-related news surfaced as top issues from CNO’s Island Insider beat and will likely dominate headlines in 2023 as well.
Slugs and bugs are worth saving, too
Folks may find slimy, slithery, creepy creatures repulsive, but reptiles, insects, and mollusks make up nearly a third of Canada’s species at risk and need their fair share of the conservation spotlight.
It’s not Christmas on B.C.’s rugged coast without a visit from the Goose
“I love those planes because to me, the sound of those engines is the sound of going home," says Bella Bella resident Josh Carpenter about flying on the historic Grumman Goose to his remote coastal community for the holidays.
Make your Christmas sweater less ugly for the environment
Simple things like washing festive plastic knitwear on the gentle cycle can reduce microfibre shedding by 70 per cent and better protect marine ecosystems, a recent Ocean Wise study shows.
Visions of a plastic-free Christmas
Ottawa's ban on a handful of single-use plastic items is cause for celebration, but bigger changes are required from government and consumers to stem plastic waste, especially at Christmas, a pollution expert says.
B.C. researchers aim to clear up acoustic smog impacting endangered killer whales
The noise from ships’ propellers can hit 170 decibels, the equivalent of a jet engine or a rocket liftoff, drowning out marine mammals' ability to safely navigate their ocean environment.
Feds launch licence buyback plan to scale down B.C.’s salmon fishing fleet
Fish harvesters are "deeply disappointed" after DFO released the details of its commercial licence buyback plan to protect plummeting Pacific salmon stocks Wednesday.
Conservationist gifts treasured private island to protect Salish Sea’s rich biodiversity
The privately owned Link Island, a biodiversity jewel in the Salish Sea, has been gifted to protect and shelter some of B.C.'s rarest species and ecosystems.
Has B.C. turned a new leaf around protecting biodiversity?
B.C. Premier David Eby’s new vow to conserve 30 per cent of the province's land base needs to be tied to legislation, strong protections and partnerships and cash for Indigenous stewardship, conservationists say.
Endangered salmon are left to flounder as Canada hosts COP15
Ottawa has “abandoned” endangered salmon and steelhead trout despite its biodiversity promises, a coalition of B.C. environmental groups allege.
New federal funding buoys First Nations' efforts to protect Great Bear Sea
Coastal First Nations striving to protect to B.C.’s Great Bear Sea got a boost after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $800 million in funding for Indigenous-led conservation projects on Wednesday.
The race to spy Canada’s whales from space
Canadian scientists are launching efforts to use satellites as benevolent eyes in the sky to monitor whales and other at-risk ocean creatures and keep them safe.
‘It takes a lot of courage to be a whistleblower’
Concerns over questionable RCMP tactics raised by an officer involved in the crackdown at the Fairy Creek old-growth blockades in the summer of 2021 are not surprising, says a lawyer representing dozens of activists.
‘I did not want to be involved’: Police officer quits task force over concerns about RCMP tactics at Fairy Creek
A member of the RCMP’s controversial Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG) resigned from the unit over concerns about “unjustifiable” police behaviour during a crackdown on Fairy Creek old-growth activists, a freedom-of-information request shows.