Raincoast

Raincoast https://www.raincoast.org Investigate. Inform. Inspire. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:33:17 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.raincoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cropped-favicon-32x32.gif Raincoast https://www.raincoast.org 32 32 How harvesting immature Chinook salmon can shrink size and reduce future returns https://www.raincoast.org/2026/06/how-harvesting-chinook-shrink-size-106500/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:51:21 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106500 New research highlights the problems of modern fisheries.]]> A study published in the journal Scientific Reports by researchers from the Wild Fish Conservancy and Raincoast Conservation Foundation has identified fisheries practices that may be contributing to long-term declines in the age and size of Chinook salmon across the northeast Pacific.1 2 The study examined the effects of harvesting Chinook salmon before they reach maturity.

]]> Sea-to-soil expeditions throughout the Salish Sea https://www.raincoast.org/2026/06/sea-soil-expeditions-salish-sea-106485/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:36:53 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106485 As we set sail on our next Land Healing Stewards Initiative trip, let’s take a look at what the last youth group got up to.]]> We are looking forward to welcoming eight Indigenous, BPOC, and 2SLGBQT+ youth from throughout the Salish Sea aboard our research and education vessel, Achiever, for a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience. As we prepare to set sail on our spring expedition, we are taking a moment to look back and reflect on our trip from last fall. As land healing is a central goal of our trips, last fall…

]]> Raincoast’s feedback on Getting Major Projects Built in Canada https://www.raincoast.org/2026/06/feedback-on-getting-major-projects-built-in-canada/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:07:44 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106440 The government’s proposed dismantling of a key clause has significant implications for the future of endangered species in Canada, including Southern Resident killer whales.]]> This week, Raincoast submitted our feedback on one of two discussion papers the Canadian federal government released in May. The discussion paper, Getting Major Projects Built in Canada, proposes significant changes to the legislation, regulations, and policies that ensure the public interest is foremost when making major decisions about large projects. Canadian review processes evaluate the…

]]> A meaningful excuse to plan a party: Peer-to-peer fundraising! https://www.raincoast.org/2026/06/meaningful-excuse-plan-party-peer-to-peer-fundraising/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:26:00 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106406 Ways to involve family and friends in supporting Raincoast.]]> Hosting a wedding, milestone birthday, or just a casual neighbourhood get-together? Make it a fundraiser! Peer-to-peer fundraising is powerful in connecting people, from your closest friends to complete strangers, to a cause you care about. Any time is a good time to raise awareness, and not everybody needs to be an elaborate event planner to host a fundraiser. Here are five everyday…

]]> Marsh restoration projects in the Lower Fraser River; Woods Island https://www.raincoast.org/2026/06/lower-fraser-river-woods-island/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:13:07 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106432 Restoring a 30 year old compensation site to support salmon.]]> If you build habitat, salmon will come. Raincoast has been working to monitor and restore salmon habitat in the Lower Fraser River for the better part of 10 years. Initially, the habitat that was available to juvenile salmon was very limited. Thus began a long journey of reconnecting habitats that were existing, and restoring those that had been taken over. This site was built…

]]> Endangered caribou, wolves, and ecological integrity https://www.raincoast.org/2026/06/caribou-wolves-ecological-integrity/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:07:12 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106411 Killing wolves to protect caribou may accelerate ecological decline and ultimately diminish long-term caribou survival prospects.]]> Southern Mountain Caribou are an ecotype, or subpopulation, of caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), and are among the most endangered large mammals in British Columbia. These caribou are listed as “Threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA), are provincially red-listed (threatened to endangered), and are identified as a Priority 2 species under British Columbia’s Conservation Framework…

]]> Goodness Grey-cious! https://www.raincoast.org/2026/06/grey-whale-swanson-channel/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:50:57 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106375 A surprise visit from a grey whale in Swanson Channel.]]> It was a quiet Wednesday, both literally and figuratively. Only a handful of vessels were moving through our survey area in Swanson Channel, and no hikers were visiting Oaks Bluff. I had just calibrated the theodolite and was sitting down to begin my scan when I heard the distinctive whoosh of a whale exhale below me. I leapt from my chair and peered through the trees, spotting the whale right…

]]> Wolf ecotypes in BC https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/wolf-ecotypes-in-bc/ Fri, 29 May 2026 18:07:56 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106338 Understanding the ecotype of recovering wolves is critical for conservation, as distinct ecotypes carry adaptations that influence habitat use, diet, and ecological function.]]> Grey wolves historically occupied much of southern British Columbia, including west coast temperate rainforest ecosystems. However, widespread predator control programs and habitat changes have resulted in significant population declines and local extirpations. Today, wolves are experiencing a significant recovery in parts of southern BC, and Raincoast is collaborating with First Nations…

]]> Genetic legacy and ecological differences of grey wolves (Canis lupus) in southern British Columbia https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/ecological-differences-grey-wolves-106267/ Wed, 27 May 2026 21:00:04 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106267 Understanding the ecotype of recovering wolf populations is important for conservation and management.]]> Grey wolves (Canis lupus) historically occupied much of southern British Columbia, including west coast temperate rainforest ecosystems. However, widespread predator control programs and habitat changes during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries resulted in significant population declines and local extirpations across portions of the region.3 4 Today, wolves are experiencing a…

]]> Marsh restoration projects in the Lower Fraser River; No.2 Road https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/lower-fraser-river-no-2-road/ Mon, 25 May 2026 22:43:01 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106289 Using big tools for small salmon.]]> Invasive hybrid cattail had completely taken over this marsh, preventing juvenile salmon from utilizing the area to rear. Over the past two years, members of our Wild Salmon Program team have been closely monitoring numbers of young salmon in this space. They do this through on the ground sampling: catching a group of fish, measuring and identifying the species of each individual…

]]> Study: Young Fraser River Chinook salmon swimming in chemical soup https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/study-young-fraser-river-chinook-salmon-swimming-106282/ Mon, 25 May 2026 18:35:36 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106282 There’s a mixture of chemicals in the Lower Fraser, which not only presents potential risks to juvenile Chinook, but also other aquatic life.]]> Juvenile Chinook salmon in the Lower Fraser River estuary are feeding and growing in a slurry of contaminants, from pharmaceuticals to personal care products and industrial chemicals, according to a new Simon Fraser University study. Researchers found more than 200 contaminants in water and fish tissue samples collected from five sites in the Lower Fraser River estuary…

]]> So you live in B.C., but you’re mostly finding Alaska-caught salmon in stores. Why? https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/alaska-caught-salmon-in-bc-stores/ Fri, 22 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106193 We need to talk about cost, complexities, what “sustainable salmon” really means.]]> The desire to ‘buy Canadian’ has only increased amongst consumers in recent times, but it’s not always easy. B.C. salmon is an iconic food, so why are so many fish in stores coming from Alaska? A recent article from Narwhal journalist, Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood, dove deep into this question, where she spoke to Aaron Hill, executive director of Watershed Watch Salmon Society, and Misty MacDuffee…

]]> Weakening SARA’s “jeopardy clause” would directly jeopardize Canada’s endangered wildlife https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/save-saras-jeopardy-clause/ Thu, 21 May 2026 18:25:44 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106224 This decision could push species already struggling into extinction. You can help stop it.]]> Canada’s Species at Risk Act was created to prevent endangered wildlife from slipping into extinction. Today, the law itself is at risk.7 The federal government is considering weakening one of the Species at Risk Act’s most important sections: the “jeopardy clause,” which prohibits projects that would jeopardize the survival or recovery of endangered species.

]]> Canada’s Species at Risk Act is, itself, at risk https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/canadas-species-at-risk-act-106146/ Sat, 16 May 2026 02:03:12 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106146 Action alert: It's not just endangered species being undermined by federal fast tracking of major projects, it’s also the SARA legislation that protects them.]]> In a move reminiscent of US President Donald Trump’s approach to clearing the way for major industrial activities, the Canadian federal government is now pursuing a similar strategy: to remove, dismantle, or override the laws designed to protect endangered species. In early May, the federal government released a discussion paper that proposed overriding a key section of Canada’s Species at…

]]> Study: Toxic hydrocarbon hotspots in BC coastal sediments, threatening Southern Resident killer whales and Chinook salmon https://www.raincoast.org/2026/05/toxic-hydrocarbon-hotspots-coastal-sediments-threatening-106121/ Fri, 15 May 2026 18:33:51 +0000 https://www.raincoast.org/?p=106121 Burgeoning marine traffic to bring more toxic hydrocarbons to killer whale habitats.]]> A new study reveals that toxic hotspots for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine sediments exist in parts of the British Columbia coast, threatening endangered Southern Resident killer whales and the Chinook salmon they depend on. The study, conducted by researchers from Ocean Wise, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Metro Vancouver, Fisheries and Oceans Canada…

]]>