No Tankers Day March 24 - Across Canada

Source: Dogwood Initiative Newsletter

March 4, 2009

A national day of action to keep BC's coast safe from oil spills on the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska's Prince William Sound. Join Dogwood Initiative and other leading environmental groups and show your support for protecting BC's coast from tar sands tankers and oil spills by making all your purchases in NoTanker loonies. Check out http://www.notankers.ca/ for more details.

Keep the Promise to Protect the Great Bear!

Source: Sierra Club of Canada
www.savethegreatbear.org/keepthepromise

Keep the promise to protect the Great Bear Rainforest!

That’s what you need to tell British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell. It’s the world's largest temperate rainforest and home to the ‘Spirit Bear,’ the rarely seen white form of the black bear, as well as the forest-nesting marbled murrelet sea bird and salmon-eating coastal wolves.
A couple of years ago, Premier Campbell made a very specific commitment to preserve this precious rainforest. The final countdown is on for the BC government to make their promise a reality by the March 31, 2009 deadline.

Premier Campbell needs to hear from you. We are down to the wire. Unless all elements of the promise are kept, the ecological health of the rainforest will be in jeopardy once again. We've come so far towards the rare success of having a vast unspoiled forest safeguarded, let’s not undermine all this good work by not reaching the finish line.

Help us tell the BC government that a promise is a promise. Send your message to BC Premier Gordon Campbell today! (Copied to Environment Minister Barry Penner, Agriculture & Lands Minister Stan Hagen, and Forests & Range Minister Pat Bell). Thank you for voicing your support for the Great Bear Rainforest at this critical time.

Click on this link to send your letter www.savethegreatbear.org/keepthepromise

New Law to Protect Orcas In Pacific Northwest

Published Date: 2009/2/26
Article ID : 6238 Version 1.00

By Greg Joyce

The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — Almost 300 endangered or threatened killer whales that ply the waters of the Pacific Northwest have improved habitat protection with a new federal government regulation. The protection, under the Species At Risk Act (SARA), covers the habitat of Northern and Southern resident killer whales, said Lara Tessaro of Ecojustice. Southern resident orcas are endangered and number about 85, and the northern orcas are considered a threatened species and have a population of about 200. The order comes after Ecojustice and several other environmental groups launched a lawsuit last fall against the Department of Fisheries. “It's the very first one ever issued under the Species At Risk Act so it's a precedent-setting order,” said Tessaro. “What it means is that it is now an offence to destroy the critical habitat of resident killer whales.

It designates, legally, their critical habitat as an area that attracts legal protection.” Southern resident orcas suffered a 20 per cent decline between 1993 and 2003 before recovering slightly. Northern resident whales' populations dropped by about seven per cent in recent years. The declines are due to threats to their habitat, including dredging, pollution, trawling, tanker traffic, military sonar tests, seismic testing and a decline in salmon stocks, she said.

For the whole article, check out the Canadian Press Link

JUST ANNOUNCED! Bluewater Once Again Among the Worlds' Best

Bluewater Adventures was selected by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth!" - Jan, 2009

Check out the ratings www.ngadventure.com/ratings

Where the White Bears Roam...

Ian MacAllister is speaking and guiding this group through the Great Bear Rainforest. He is from Pacific Wild Foundation, and founded Raincoast Conservation.

Join Bluewater at the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show!

Bluewater Adventures will be attending the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show Feb 14-15, 2009 at BC Place. Come check us out at Booth # 423. We will be handing out brochures and talking about all of our adventures, including the Queen Charlotte Islands, the Great Bear Rainforest, Northern Vancouver Island, Southeast Alaska, the Inside Passage and the Gulf Islands.

Randy Burke will also be presenting at the Adventure Theatre on Feb 14th at 5:15pm. This will be a presentation on the Queen Charlotte Islands Tour - Selected by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as one of the World's Best Guided Tours.

Admission to the show is $ 10 at the door. Make sure if you plan on attending that you contact the Bluewater office to receive an electronic '2 for 1' coupon to the show, compliments of the Bluewater team.

Check out the show link here http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/vancouver/

Alexandra Morton's Salmon Fight Makes the New York Times

Alexandra Morton, a self-trained biologist, has been battling fish farms in British Columbia that she says are endangering wild salmon runs. Her story was recently posted in the New York Times. Click here to watch the video.

Photograph the Adventure

Is photography one of your hobbies? The Bluewater experience is full of surprises around every corner, and great photography opportunities! You never know when you are going to capture a great moment...Organize a photography trip or simply join one of our open booking departures. We always look forward to seeing the unique photos you take. If you want to see some of your photos on our website or this blog contact the office for details. We always give credit to our great photographers!

Coastal Weather

The weather this year was great, but the months that stand out for having exceptional weather were May, September and October. These are also probably some of the best times to be along the coast witness the diversity of wildlife. Early May in the Charlottes is spectacular, as the Humpbacks have just come over from Hawaii in large numbers and are feeding in the rich waters. Bird migrations are taking place in May and the sun seems to shine more consistently.

Book before December 31st on your 2009 departure and take advantage of our 2008 prices!

Share the Magic...with family

Think a family vacation is in order? Bluewater journeys are an excellent trip for families. We host several charters each year where groups get together and share the magic of this great coast. Spend 7-10 days in remote wilderness surrounded by diverse wildlife and spectacular culture. A true adventure for the whole family! You have the ability to customize your itinerary and see some great coastal secrets. Contact the office to talk about availability for your charter. 1.888.877.1770 or check out our schedule - we look forward to hosting all of our groups in 2009 and creating your trip of a lifetime!

The True Southeast Alaska Experience

Come onboard the Island Odyssey or Snow Goose and experience the true Southeast Alaska adventure. You will not find this type of getaway when traveling onboard a cruise ship. The small ship adventure takes you into remote coastal wilderness - places few get to ever see. Whales, bears and glaciers await you... spectacular scenery, incredible wildlife and ancient coastal cultures. Expect the unexpected and prepare for the Bluewater journey. Picture: Bluewater chef Debra Fontaine and partner Adrienne enjoy an afternoon floating among icebergs and checking out a glacier.

Providing First Class Educators

Naturalists provide unique insight into the Bluewater experience. With extensive knowledge in plants, marine life, history, wildlife, and the destination - These educators will keep you well informed about the areas you are traveling through. Check out our 2009 Learning Series for more information about upcoming trips. Photo by Naturalist Kitty Lloyd.

Endless Waterfalls in the Great Bear....

Come absorb yourself in the Great Bear Rainforest... and see all the endless waterfalls in the lush green forests. Here is crew member Tom McPherson standing in front of McPherson Falls. Photo by Sherry Kirkvold. For more info on our Great Bear Rainforest tours, check this out!