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Press releases by Raincoast Conservation Foundation.

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  • Federal government measures failed to protect endangered Chinook salmon in 2019

    February 5, 2019 VICTORIA – Many more endangered Fraser River Chinook salmon were killed in fisheries last year than promised by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Despite a commitment to reduce Fraser spring and summer Chinook mortality to less than five per cent, recent analyses using the federal government’s own data suggest this limit was far exceeded and that a full fisheries closure would have allowed at least 25 per cent more endangered Chinook salmon to spawn. Last year marked the lowest return of Fraser River spring and summer Chinook on record: fewer than 14,500 reached their spawning grounds.

  • Study finds that goals to recover species at risk are stronger in the United States than in Canada

    An estimated one million species are at risk of extinction globally and despite efforts, including legislation meant to protect species at risk, the majority of species are not recovering in either Canada or the United States. This might be because governments do not set ambitious or high quality targets to recover species at risk. Researchers from the University of Victoria,…

  • Conservation groups appeal to Supreme Court in Trans Mountain suit

    OTTAWA – Ecojustice, acting on behalf of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Living Oceans Society, is taking the fight to defend endangered Southern Resident killer whales from the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion to the Supreme Court of Canada. The groups allege the federal government violated the Species at Risk Act when it approved the pipeline for a second time in…

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada is failing British Columbia’s salmon

    VANCOUVER – Canada’s Pacific salmon fishery is losing its coveted eco-certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) because the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), despite repeated commitments, failed to address the issues identified with outstanding conditions in previous independent fishery audits. The industry has chosen to pre-emptively withdraw from the international certification to avoid failing its upcoming audit….

  • New report on need to reform Conservation Officer Service

    Sidney, BC: A new report, commissioned by Raincoast Conservation Foundation and produced by the University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre, proposes law and policy reforms that would enhance wildlife management by increasing the accountability of the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) as a whole and reducing the unnecessary killing of wildlife by conservation officers. Drawing from aspects of wildlife management…

  • Paying the price – New research indicates trophy hunters pay more to target large-bodied carnivores

    New peer-reviewed research by scientists from the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and the University of Victoria offers fresh insight into the behaviour of trophy hunters. In short, guided hunters pay more to kill larger carnivores, reflecting a desire that likely evolved because large carnivores serve as impressive trophies to signal the abilities of hunters. Theory from Evolutionary Anthropology suggests that men…

  • Statement: Conservation groups respond to Federal Court of Appeal decision on Trans Mountain

    SIDNEY – The Federal Court of Appeal ruled today that it will not proceed with hearing a case Ecojustice brought on behalf of Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Living Oceans Society, challenging the federal government’s approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline project. Ecojustice lawyer Margot Venton, who represents Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Living Oceans Society in this challenge, released the following…

  • New research shows all habitat types are needed to conserve salmon and other fish in the Fraser River estuary

    The Fraser River estuary supports a multitude of fish species, and is a crucial habitat for juvenile salmon from throughout the Fraser watershed. Currently however, more than 70% of the rearing habitat historically accessible to these salmon has been lost or disconnected. Estuaries are also comprised of different types of habitats, including eelgrasses, marshes and sand flats. Researchers from the…

  • Conservation groups launch new case challenging Trans Mountain Pipeline

    VANCOUVER – Raincoast Conservation Foundation is going back to court with Ecojustice and Living Oceans Society to challenge the federal government’s re-approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. The groups submitted a motion to the Federal Court of Appeal this morning, asking for leave to launch a judicial review of Cabinet’s decision. They argue that Cabinet failed to comply with…

  • Trans Mountain approval wrong choice for endangered killer whales and climate

    VANCOUVER – The federal government’s decision to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline project is the wrong choice for endangered killer whales and for the climate emergency. The project will not go ahead without a fight, environmental groups Ecojustice, Living Oceans Society and Raincoast Conservation Foundation say…

  • Killer Creamery Partners with Raincoast to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales

    For Immediate Release, June 5, 2019 Healthy Ice Cream Turns Heroic On National Orca Day BOISE, IDAHO – Killer Creamery celebrates National Orca Day by launching black keto ice cream. The healthy ice cream company is partnering with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation to raise funds for research and protection of Southern Resident Killer Whales, of which there are less than…

  • Terminal 2 expansion threatens killer whales, salmon and climate action

    VANCOUVER, May 22 2019 – On May 23rd, conservation groups will present three main concerns with the proposed Terminal 2 expansion at Roberts Bank in Delta to the federal review panel. Groups will raise concerns about the effects of underwater noise and pollution on marine mammals, fish and fish habitat, and greenhouse gas emissions. The David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Strait…