Blog post by Laurenne Schiller, Ocean Wise seafood research analyst and Atlantic Canada coordinator. Farewell, Newfoundland. No, I’m not being dramatic, it’s an actual place. Although, I admit that the name is a touch misleading. Because beyond Farewell lie the Change Islands. And, beyond those, is Fogo Island—a tiny speck that solidifies the northeastern-most corner … Continued
Since 1992, the Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program has supported ground-breaking research by the Marine Mammal Research Program at the Coastal Ocean Research Institute, an Ocean Wise initiative. In the past, this research, contributed to an annual photo identification-based census of killer whales in British Columbia to monitor association patterns, births, deaths and changes in distribution. … Continued
The City of Vancouver, in partnership with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, has become Canada’s second official Clean Shoreline Community. This designation acknowledges the City’s continued commitment to protecting local shorelines, reducing litter, and improving public realm cleanliness in support of its Greenest City goals. Cigarette butts and single-use items such as plastic bags, foam … Continued
With only a short window of time to gather data, multiple teams from Ocean Wise spent their summer in the Arctic for ongoing research. Studies included the distribution of microplastics in Arctic waters; tagging and tracking narwhals, Greenland sharks and other Arctic species; physical oceanography; research to monitor communication between mother beluga whales and their … Continued
“Sccchhhhrrrrssssshhhhh” The sound of rolling gravel came through the hydrophone speakers along with the rhythmic pounding of surf. Then, a staccato interruption: a high-pitched call from a killer whale. This soundtrack accompanied an incredible scene unfolding around the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre’s research vessel, Skana. I was on board, watching group after group of … Continued
So, you think you know everything there is to know about echinoderms? Echinoderms are the group of animals that includes sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers, feather stars and brittle stars, and they are the only group of animals that is exclusively marine. Yes, yes, you likely already recognize the common features of echinoderms: their body … Continued
Ocean pollution is typically a bad news story which conjures images of PCB-laden killer whales, DDT-associated eggshell thinning in bald eagles, and concerns about seafood safety. While uncovering these scary stories might seem daunting to many, I find it strangely uplifting. Why? Because this kind of information can help me and others identify pollutants of … Continued
Sound travels five times faster and much farther in water than it does in air, whereas light, as all divers know, transmits only short distances in water. In the darkness of the underwater world, marine animals use hearing the way terrestrial animals use sight – to navigate, to avoid perils, to stay with group members … Continued
*Note: this summer, we are fortunate to share live updates on research being conducted by Vancouver Aquarium’s Cetacean Research Lab, whose team is traveling along the coast of British Columbia to gain additional insights that will support its groundbreaking cetacean research. This fifth installment from the past week was authored by Lance Barrett-Lennard, head of the Aquarium’s Cetacean … Continued
If you’re walking along the Fraser River estuary or down by Boundary Bay, and you catch a whiff of rotten eggs, you’re probably near a patch of salt marsh. Salt marshes don’t necessarily look impressive – and they certainly don’t smell impressive – but they’re an extremely important part of the ecosystem. They provide food, … Continued
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Ocean Wise is based in the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We work across Turtle Island and beyond, supporting Indigenous peoples in their vital work on ocean conservation and biodiversity whenever possible or as we are invited to.