Oil and water still don't mix

Since the recent oil spill in the gulf of Mexico, off shore drilling and oil tanker traffic have been hot topics for environmental conversations -- and with good reason. Several Florida counties have declared a state of emergency and marine wildlife are starting to feel the effect of this devasting spill, a spill which continues to flow out into the Gulf.

Oil drilling, oil tankers, and their possible effects on local communities, flora and fauna have also been a concern for the coast of Northern BC, especially as oil company Enbridge continues to try and open an oil tanker route through the Great Bear Rainforest.

Some locals are starting take action. For example, in order to raise awareness of the potential impacts of oil tanker traffic in this incredible lush area of our coast, Norm Haan has set out to paddleboard the prospective tanker route from Kitamaat to Bella Bella -- 385 km.
Read more about his journey here.

To see the possible effect of an oil spill off BC's coast, check out this oil spill model put out by the Living Oceans Society.

Distinct Species of Orca Identified off BC Coast

Transient whales aren't outcasts -- just a different gene pool

Photograph by: Dave Ellifrit

A threatened population of killer whales that spends much of the year hunting seals off the British Columbia coast has been identified by an international team of scientists as a distinct species, separated from its fellow orcas in Canada and elsewhere about 700,000 years ago.

The whales, known as the North Pacific Transients, have long been understood to have a different prey preference than their fish-eating cousins, as well as subtle physical anomalies, such as a more pointed dorsal fin.

For more in this story click here

-Randy Bowsell, Canwest News Service

Green Travel Choice

This month, TIES has launched an innovative new tool "Green Travel Choice," an iPhone application that gives responsible travelers a simple and effective way to make informed travel choices. TIES and Cleaner Climate have joined forces as partners to launch this GPS-based CO2 tracker developed by Pocketweb Ltd. The application is available now on iTunes App Store.

Click Here to read all about Green Travel Choice!

Emeralds at the Edge Presentation at Science World April 24th, 2010

Bluewater guest Andy Wright will be presenting his “Emeralds at the Edge” slideshow as part of the Green Week festivities at Science World this Saturday (April 24th, 2010) from 1pm-4pm. Also presenting is the Sierra Club who will be showing the film “Code Blue”.

For more information on Science World and the Green Games Click Here

(regular Science World admission applies)

Video from school trip March 30-April 4, 2010 in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Check out this video on YouTube! It was put together by trip leader Natalie Bowes from Coalhurst, Alberta. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaYmTV_TO9Q

Earth Hour March 27th, 2010 @ 8:30pm

In 2009 hundreds of millions of people around the world showed their support by turning off their lights for one hour. Earth Hour 2010 will continue to be a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future.

Bluewater Adventures has 2 school groups onboard the Island Roamer and Island Odyssey this week in the Gulf Islands who will be participating in Earth Hour. Will you be participating? Show your support and take the pledge here http://www.earthhour.org/

August 29-September 5 in the Great Bear Rainforest

Photo: Bluewater Guest Andy Wright

Come with us and travel deep into these primeval forests. See grizzly bears, black bears and maybe even a Kermode bear! Feeding on salmon and sedge grasses, these bears are looking to bulk up for the winter. Come see why it is called 'The Great Bear'. Local First Nations culture is a big part of this adventure as we travel to villages and ancient sites. See whales, birds and maybe catch a glance of some coastal wolves. Starting and ending in Bella Bella, BC - you do not want to miss out on this departure! $ 4185 CDN + tax September dates are also available.

You Gotta Be Here....

Everyone is talking about BC... Come experience the West Coast with Bluewater Adventures!

BLUEWATER WELCOMES THE WORLD TO VANCOUVER

Wishing all of our Canadian athletes the best of luck in the upcoming games. Some of our staff will be down at Lonsdale Quay this Wednesday morning to welcome the torch to North Vancouver. Keep your eyes peeled on CTV for some upcoming "Special BC Products", featuring Bluewater Adventures!

SAVE THE GREAT BEARS - SIGN THE PETITION - STOP THE TROPHY HUNT

Imagine making a difference. The “Faltering Light” visual petition is a high quality book containing; an open letter to the BC government requesting that trophy hunting of bears is stopped, essays from leading environmentalists, sepia toned bear photographs and YOUR SIGNATURES supporting the termination of the trophy hunt. The book will be delivered to Premier Gordon Campbell & Environment Minister Barry Penner before the trophy hunt resumes in April. The book will also be given to the Vancouver city archive as a record of every individuals historic contribution. So let's make history, record your name!

Join conservation photographer Andy Wright with founding supporters Simon Jackson (www.spiritbearyouth.org) and Ian McAllister (www.pacificwild.org) to make this visual petition a significant creation that changes history and saves the magnificent bears of British Columbia.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND COUNCIL OF THE HAIDA NATION AGREE TO SHARE MANAGEMENT OF THE WATERS AROUND GWAII HAANAS

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, January 16, 2010 -- The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada, and Guujaaw, President of the Haida Nation, today signed a momentous agreement that commits the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation to share in the planning, operations and management of the waters surrounding the Gwaii Haanas protected area in southern Haida Gwaii. For the full press release, click here


Picture: Credit Parks Canada
Guujaaw, President of the Council of the Haida Nation (from left), the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environement Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Mr. Alan Latourelle, CEO of Parks Canada Agency, are shown at the signing of the MOU to share management of the waters around Gwaii Haanas, Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Vancouver, BC.

Coming to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games?

This February 12-28, 2010 Vancouver is hosting the games! The Bluewater vessels will be in town during this time and we want to host your group. Want to see Vancouver from the water? Enjoy the scenic views of the North Shore mountains and Coal Harbour or take a tour up beautiful Indian Arm. Feel free to call our office to see how we can best customize something for your group. British Columbia is a vast province with spectacular coastal wilderness, wildlife and culture. Come get a taste of BC aboard our Island Roamer and Island Odyssey this winter...you'll be craving more of this coastline. 1.888.877.1770 or email explore@bluewateradventures.ca

Video of Northern Vancouver Island Adventure

Check out this video done by Bluewater guest Derek Spicer. He joined us from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society back in 2007 as he traveled with trip leader Rob Lott. Join Rob again this upcoming summer July 31-August 6th aboard the Island Odyssey and see Orcas, Totems and Grizzly Bears! Check out our website for details http://www.bluewateradventures.com/