Latest News//
Stories that matter for BC’s coast.
![A pod of orcas swimming in the open ocean](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-300x150.png)
New Measures to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales in BC
The Government of Canada has announced new measures and increased funding to protect the endangered Southern Resident killer whales of BC’s coast.
![An orca swimming in open water in the foreground with a large cargo vessel in the background](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Helen-Alexander-3-300x200.webp)
Noise Pollution Threatens the Survival of Southern Resident Killer Whales
Scientists are increasingly concerned about the effects of increased vessel shipping, and the underwater noise pollution that comes with it, on BC’s marine species that rely on sound and echolocation to communicate, navigate, and hunt.
![An aerial view of an open-net pen fish farm owned by Mowi Canada West in BC.](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/437785349_852509580252427_7596650330071225907_n-300x225.jpg)
Feds Break 2019 Promise to End All Open-Pen BC Salmon Farms by 2025 By Extending Licenses to 2029
A transition plan for the future of open-net salmon farming in BC appears to be coming together, though it does involve the renewal of existing fish farm licenses.
![Aboard an industrial bottom trawler with four workers on standby as the trawl net is hailed onboard, full of fish.](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GP0Z8E_Web_size_with_credit_line-e1717706435140-300x187.jpg)
Sweden Announces Landmark Ban on Bottom Trawling
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that the ban on bottom trawling will apply to country’s marine protected areas (MPAs) and all territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles).
![The orca calf known as Brave Little Hunter on the left swimming next to the body of her beached mother, Spong, in the Zeballos lagoon](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/433890397_10168172108930570_8433525451986473144_n-300x200.jpg)
Brave Little Hunter Not Seen for Weeks, But It’s Good News
Brave Little Hunter has not been seen for several weeks. However, it could simply mean she’s on the move, searching for family
![A single juvenile salmon covered in salmon lice](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/22181524_web1_copy_200729-NIG-sea-lice-numbers-_1-300x200.jpg)
DFO at a Crossroads: The Future of Fish Farms in BC
As the end of June draws closer, marking the expiration of the remaining 66 fish farm licences across BC, communities, advocates for wild fish recovery, and the aquaculture industry are all waiting with bated breath to see what the BC government will do.
![](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/web1_1.-black-pearl-and-her-2024-calf.-clint-william-eagle-wing-tours-pwwa-300x169.jpg)
BC Spring Migration: Humpback Whale and New Calf Returns to Salish Sea
The Salish Sea is officially home to a new humpback calf as the first humpbacks migrate back here from their warm-water birthing grounds. Every Spring,
![](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/png-0507n-salmonfarming-173-300x197.webp)
Alliance Calls on Feds to Honour Promise to Phase Out Open-Net Fish Farms in BC by 2025
A diverse group comprising of Indigenous, commercial, sports fishers, tourism businesses, scientists, and NGOs has united to urge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to fulfill his 2019 campaign promise to transition BC away from open-net fish pens by 2025.
![](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/437147849_862875785645703_1556430842756931513_n-300x200.jpg)
Pod Sighting Raises Hopes but Not Expectations for Reunion With Brave Little Hunter
A group of nine killer whales has been spotted near Brave Little Hunter’s location, but experts stress that the pod has not been identified as the young orca’s kin.
![](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/salmon-fishing-alaska-300x200.jpg)
Adjudicator Clears Path for BC Groups’ Challenge to Alaska’s “Sustainable” Fishery
An independent adjudicator has accepted a complaint from three BC groups, who allege that Alaskan fisheries are raking up significant bycatch and potentially causing a 100% mortality rate for those non-target species.
![](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lake-Superior-steelhead-caught-on-a-fly-G-Ellis-scaled-1-300x206.jpg)
Fishermen Fined for Poaching Endangered Steelhead Trout
A fisherman and his companion has been penalized with fines exceeding $7,000 in total after they were found guilty of catching an endangered steelhead trout from the Thompson River.
![](https://ftp.strongcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/36e71776c837f3e67c308bfc0a57c786-1-300x149.jpg)
France’s Protest Over UK Bottom-Trawling Ban is Being Labelled “Hypocrisy”
France has raised objections to a new UK regulation banning bottom trawling in certain territorial waters, sparking a controversy that has drawn accusations of hypocrisy