Ocean Ecosystems

VANCOUVER – A two week scientific expedition led by Living Oceans Society to explore the deep ocean off the Pacific Coast of Canada departs from North Vancouver, B.C. on World Oceans Day (June 8th). The Finding Coral Expedition will search for deep sea corals using single person submarines that can dive to depths of 600 meters. A team of scientists will pilot the subs and gather information critical to increasing our understanding of the role that deep sea corals play in our ocean ecosystem.

Vancouver -- Living Oceans Society’s Finding Coral Expedition arrived back in Vancouver on June 22 after a successful two week study of deep sea corals off the coast of British Columbia. The research team of international scientists dove in single person submarines at six different dive sites in Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait, and Dixon Entrance. At five of the sites the team identified deep sea corals and many other creatures. 

VANCOUVER – In the midst of a lawsuit launched by environmental groups, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has just granted permission for a controversial American research ship to conduct seismic blasting in a Canadian marine protected area. The Minister granted this permit at the close of business hours Friday night, despite an ongoing lawsuit by environmental groups challenging the legality of the permit on the basis that the ship will violate Canadian environmental laws.



OTTAWA - Living Oceans Society welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans that the ancient glass sponge reefs on Canada’s Pacific coast are one step closer to receiving permanent protection.

“Last summer I experienced the glass sponges first hand while exploring the deep sea in a submarine and I saw the crabs, fish, and shrimp that made these sponges their home,” says Jennifer Lash, Executive Director, Living Oceans Society. “There is no doubt in my mind that protecting these sponges is a critical step forward towards ensuring a healthy ocean.”

Living Oceans Society is alarmed by the Harper government's alleged plan to remove habitat protection from the federal Fisheries Act by attaching changes to the Omnibus Budget Bill. These revisions will have grave and lasting consequences for environmental protection in Canada and should be subject to full debate in Parliament.

Vancouver, B.C.— For decades, British Columbia environmentalists have clashed with the groundfish bottom trawl fishing industry, but the two have come together to find common ground, and fragile ocean habitat is the big winner. The two groups have developed innovative measures to conserve corals, sponges and deep-sea habitats. These new management measures have been implemented through Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Groundfish Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.