Media Releases

HALIFAX, VANCOUVER — Seafood eco-certifications by two prominent organizations are falling short, according to a new report by SeaChoice, a coalition of Canada’s leading sustainable seafood advocacy organizations. What’s behind the label? Assessing the impact of MSC and ASC seafood certifications in Canada is the first review of whether the Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council have improved sustainability in Canadian seafood production.

VANCOUVER/HALIFAX:  Ecology Action Centre and Living Oceans Society welcome the report of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development, tabled in Parliament today, recommending a broad range of reforms of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Several of the recommendations would open a very welcome window into the approval process for genetically modified organisms, say the groups.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Vancouver:  Living Oceans congratulates the federal government on the introduction in the House today of legislation that will amend the Oceans Act, giving the government greater powers—and new deadlines—for meeting its commitment to protect Canada’s oceans.

VANCOUVER/HALIFAX — Today’s decision by a renowned seafood recommendation program to label some eco-certified farmed salmon as a “Good Alternative” for consumers is faulty, according to SeaChoice, a collaboration among Canadian environmental groups. Seafood Watch published its recommendations today following a review of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) salmon certification standard.

HALIFAX AND VANCOUVER — Canada’s seafood labelling requirements fail consumers, particularly when compared to requirements governing two of our largest export partners, the European Union and the United States, according to a SeaChoice international seafood labelling report card released today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  8 December, 2016 VANCOUVER: Today Living Oceans filed a formal complaint regarding Marine Harvest Canada’s Marsh Bay salmon farm, whose Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification had been suspended over the drowning deaths of seven marine mammals. The suspension appears to have been lifted without adequate public explanation of the steps taken to protect marine mammals such as whales and sea lions from becoming entangled in the farm’s nets.

Vancouver:  Living Oceans said today that its relief over the final demise of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker project is tainted by the approval of two new pipelines that spell the end of Canada’s brief resurgence as a climate leader. “This places the Trudeau government squarely in the same room with the oil lobbyists, pitting it against British Columbia’s First Nations and communities.

Vancouver:  Living Oceans Society reacted to today’s announcement on west coast marine safety with chagrin, noting that the government still seems to believe we can have our cake and eat it, too. “You can throw all the money you want at it,” said Executive Director Karen Wristen.  “Dilbit still won't float.  And there is no strategy that will prevent additional shipping from creating noise that disrupts Killer Whales.  It's clear we can't have pipeline and tanker projects AND Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery."

Living Oceans welcomed the release today of the Ministerial Panel's report on the Trans Mountain Pipeline, observing that the panel posed penetrating questions that the government will be expected to answer in rendering its decision on the controversial pipeline and tanker project.