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.