Fisheries

Published Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016 12:01AM EST

More than 1,000 early-career scientists from across Canada have written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and key members of his cabinet urging the government to do a better job of assessing the environmental impacts of developments.

The scientists say they are “concerned that current environmental assessments and regulatory decision-making processes lack scientific rigour,” and that the health of Canadians and the environment are being put at risk.

A tanker spill of diluted bitumen from Canada’s oils sands could trigger an ecological catastrophe for the Salish Sea. The oil would impact crab, rockfish and other bottom dwellers — as well as salmon and orca whales.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Coastal First Nations say Canada’s federal investments an important first step.
The proof will be in the delivery

November 7, 2016 (Vancouver) – Coastal First Nations, CFN, say Prime Minister Trudeau’s announcement today of new federal investments to improve marine safety and shipping management are an important first step. The proof of their success will be in the delivery.

For Immediate Release - November 7, 2016

West Coast Environmental Law reacts to federal marine safety announcement

VANCOUVER, BC, Coast Salish Territories – West Coast Environmental Law Association issued the following statement in response to the federal government’s announcement today regarding new marine safety initiatives:

Federal Transportation Minister Marc Garneau says the sinking of the tugboat Nathan E. Stewart shows that oil spill response resources on Canada’s West Coast are inadequate.

In a meeting with the leaders of the Heiltsuk Nation on Sunday, Mr. Garneau also promised he will deliver a promised ban on oil tanker traffic off British Columbia’s North Coast by the end of the year. In fact, an announcement on spill response is expected as early as Monday.

Audio recordings reveal how first responders struggled to get a clear picture of an unfolding disaster, reports Justine Hunter

VICTORIA The Globe and Mail Last updated: Friday, Nov. 04, 2016 12:38PM EDT

[audio available online]

Crews fighting to contain fuel leaking from a sunken tug near Bella Bella, B.C., have had to deal with just the kind of conditions predicted in a spill response analysis filed with the National Energy Board in the Trans Mountain pipeline hearings.

That analysis warned that if an oil spill occurred on the West Coast during winter months, high winds, turbulent seas and delays in response time could combine to make it impossible for crews to recover more than 15 per cent of spilled oil.

For Immediate Release

October 26, 2016 (Bella Bella) – A statement just released by Canada’s fisheries minister has left Heiltsuk Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett angered and dismayed.