Fisheries minister facing flak over Discovery Islands fish farm decision
A coalition of Vancouver Island mayors and industry stakeholders say Ottawa's decision to phase out Discovery Islands fish farms puts 1,500 jobs at risk.
New conservancy plan aims to create research greenbelt
Open Bay Society, a non-profit wilderness conservancy and research centre based on Quadra, is negotiating with Mosaic Forest Management to buy timber harvesting rights for 7,000 acres of forest.
Environmental ripple effect of Bute Inlet landslide starting to unfold, scientists say
Climate change set the stage for the landslide that occurred on the morning of Nov. 28, said Brent Ward, a geologist at Simon Fraser University.
Wild salmon advocates celebrate Discovery Island fish farms decision
Fish farm opponents on the West Coast are jubilant after Ottawa’s announcement Thursday that operations in the Discovery Islands are being phased out over the next 18 months.
Federal fisheries minister announces phaseout of Discovery Islands fish farms
Bernadette Jordan announced Thursday that contentious fish farms in the Discovery Islands on the West Coast will be phased out over the next 18 months.
Once abundant sunflower sea star now critically endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the sunflower sea star as critically endangered last week based on a population study led by Oregon State University and the Nature Conservancy in partnership with a coalition of more than 60 researchers and institutions.
Massive landslide in Bute Inlet wipes out wildlife habitat, poses risks to marine traffic along B.C. coast
The washout has devastated hundreds of acres of forest, severely damaging salmon spawning grounds and sweeping trees, rocks and mud into Bute Inlet.
Remote First Nation's swift action puts halt to COVID-19 outbreak
The next two weeks are critical in protecting the gains the Klahoose Nation on Cortes Island made in getting a COVID-19 cluster under control, says Chief Kevin Peacey.
Aquaculture company pilots new salmon farm containment system on Canada’s West Coast
Cermaq Canada has stocked close to half a million Atlantic salmon smolts into a new semi-closed containment system (SCCS) in Millar Channel on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
A First Nation braves long shifts in wind, rain, cold and dark after COVID-19 cluster
The Klahoose First Nation immediately went into strict lockdown Nov. 26 after getting news an elder had tested positive for COVID-19. Three more cases were confirmed soon after.
Ottawa under pressure from First Nations as fish farm consultations draw to a close
Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan is expected to make a decision this month about whether to renew fish farm licences set to expire on Dec. 18 in the Discovery Islands region.
The water has been bridged: COVID-19 cases on the rise on Vancouver Island
Community spread from social interactions and travel is driving COVID-19 case numbers to a worrying level on Vancouver Island and in other health regions beyond B.C.'s Lower Mainland, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says.
Cannabis a potential harm reduction tool for youth at risk of fatal overdose, research shows
Recent research suggests youth struggling with illicit drug use may use cannabis to mitigate the risk of overdose and that establishing housing, work and income supports is their priority before treatment.
Youth need specialized support in B.C. overdose crisis, advocates say
One immediate way to protect youth from fatal drug overdoses is to provide harm reduction and overdose prevention services dedicated strictly to their demographic, says youth outreach worker and harm reduction advocate Kali Sedgemore.
Migratory seabirds find safe haven in new West Coast island reserve
The new Breton Island-Whitridge Reserve is a 12.6-acre island located in the Discovery Islands archipelago that is wedged between the B.C. mainland and Vancouver Island.