MARINE & FISHERIES

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British Columbia's coastal waters are home to some of the richest marine ecosystems left on this planet.

Many ECOBC member groups are program-focussed on the spectacular BC coast and the inland seas of Georgia Strait and the Inside Passage. Some are fighting marine pollution while others are fighting for the survival of wild salmon and other marine species. Others are trying to stop the lifting of the offshore oil and gas moratorium.

Here is a sampling of our frontline marine environmental organizations and some of the coalitions they are actively leading:

Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has worked to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us. Focusing on four program areas - oceans and sustainable fishing, and the web of life - the Foundation uses science and education to promote solutions that help conserve nature. For further information about the Foundation see www.davidsuzuki.org

Ecotrust Canada has a mission to build Salmon Nation, a place where people and wild salmon thrive. Ecotrust seeks full public disclosure of the status of Pacific salmon as well as fundamental institutional changes in the way fisheries, marine ecosystems and watersheds are managed. See Ecotrust's "Save the Fish, Save the Fisherman" program at www.ecotrust.org

The Galiano Conservancy Association is a community-based non-profit society and registered charity founded in 1989 and dedicated to protecting the natural and human environment of Galiano Island, British Columbia. The Conservancy has been active in protecting the wwaters surrounding Galiano Island and those of the southern gulf. For further info see www.galianoconservancy.ca/

Georgia Strait Alliance brings diverse people together to foster common goals, partnerships and solutions to marine protection in British Columbia's unique inland sea, the Georgia Strait. In this beautiful stretch of water, pollution, industrial activities, development and fishing pressures have taken their toll. Some fish stocks have collapsed and the Strait's killer whales are now officially endangered. However, it's not too late to turn the tide. Caring people are working hard to restore the health of our coastal waters. Together we can: reduce pollution in our waters; protect marine wildlife and its habitat; conserve wild salmon stocks; have a healthy economy and a healthy environment for generations to come. For more info on GSA see www.georgiastrait.org

Founded in 1990, Raincoast Conservation Society is a non-profit research and public education organization. We work in partnership with scientists, First Nations, local communities and Non-governmental Organizations to build support for decisions that protect marine and rainforest habitat on BC’s central and north coast. For the full scoop on Raincoast visit their site at www.raincoast.org

Executive Director, Craig Orr warmly invites the public and campaigners alike to visit www.watershed-watch.org website of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, whose mission is to elevate the level of dialogue surrounding wild salmon and salmon habitat, and to improve our chances of saving salmon.

Marine Coalitions in British Columbia

Some ECOBC members are leading coalition-based nation and province-wide marine campaigns and market initiatives.

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Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR) For many years, First Nations, fishermen, and the conservation community have led efforts in British Columbia to develop a salmon farming industry that is safe for humans and the environment. However, industry has staunchly resisted change, putting human and ocean health at risk. Now, with industry planning to double the number of harmful fish farms on the coast of BC, groups working to promote safe farming have joined together to create the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR). Working in partnership, we believe we can contribute to a healthy and sustainable coast.Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR), CAAR Markets Project, 207 West Hastings, Suite 703, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7, Canada.www.farmedanddangerous.org

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Oceans Online The Oceans Online program is designed to help Canadians and people around the world learn about and defend BC’s marine ecosystems from the adverse impacts of development and unsustainable commercial and recreational uses. www.oceansonline.ca

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Sound & Straits Coalition Since the fall of 1999, Sound & Straits Coalition groups (People For Puget Sound, Friends of the San Juans, Waldron Community, Evergreen Islands, Washington Scuba Alliance, Tokitae Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Underwater Clubs of British Columbia, and Galliano Island Conservancy) have met to identifying a cross-border region that would be the focus of a citizens' initiative to move governments and tribes towards cooperatively establishing marine protected areas in the transboundary waters. For more info on this Hands Across the Border campaign click here.

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Oil Free Coast Alliance In October 2001, a new government in British Columbia re-ignited talks with industry about the possibility of offshore oil and gas exploration along the province’s coast. As industry and government leaders met in Vancouver, representatives of 70 conservation, labour and First Nations groups gathered to protest lifting the thirty-year moratorium. Group leaders told the rally that rather than helping economically-struggling coastal communities, oil and gas development would instead cause environmental devastation. Such devastation would negatively affect the critical industries that support the local economies: fishing, sports fishing and tourism. The Oil Free Coast Alliance encourages you to take action to keep the coast of British Columbia safe from an offshore oil and gas industry. From this website www.oilfreecoast.org/ you can write key decision makers on this issue, find industry contact info, and do further research on this issue plus much more. Take action now!

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