News

April-May 2005

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

PADDLEFESTS AND SYMPOSIA

Paddlers have a lot to look forward to this year (Calendar). Here on the west coast, things kick off in April with the 5th Annual Port Angeles Kayak Symposium in Port Angeles, WA, April 15-17. Then we have the 7th Annual Vancouver Island Paddlefest at Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, BC on May 14-15, featuring a vendor/trade show, workshops, demos and lots of activities. This is closely followed by the 20th Annual Coast Kayak Symposium on Thetis Island, BC on May 20-23, organized by Mercia Sixta, and a brand new event, the 1st Annual Puget Sound Sea Kayak Symposium in Tacoma, WA, May 21-23. On June 3-5, the South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayak Symposium takes place at Twanoh State Park in Belfair, WA for those who love skin kayaks, and on July 10, the BC Marine Trail Ocean Kayak Marathon will be held at Jericho Beach, Vancouver, BC.

For all those who enjoy the annual West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium in Port Townsend, WA each September—the biggest event in the region—please take note that it’s a week earlier this year: Sept. 9-11. Also be advised to book accommodation ASAP as the event will be taking place the same weekend as the annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, so the town will be booked solid!

WAVELENGTH FEATURED

Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association’s January newsletter honored WavelengthMagazine.com as “website of the month”, saying: “It’s a happy concept: a magazine about paddling that offers not just a few selected articles on its Web site, but the entire magazine, downloadable in PDF format—completely free. Every issue from 2001 and after can be downloaded, and articles are archived all the way back to 1994. If you really want to get away from your computer, or you just like to turn the pages yourself, subscriptions to a print version are available. The site is nicely organized, with archived articles arranged by topic (skills, destinations, gear, book reviews, and so forth) and by keyword search, too.”

ALEXANDRA MORTON HONORED

Conservationist, author, biologist and WaveLength columnist, Alexandra Morton has received the 2005 Haig-Brown Conservation Award from the Vancouver-based Totem Fly Fishers. Alex, who lives in the Broughton Archipelago, won the award for her groundbreaking and courageous research on sea lice epidemics on juvenile wild salmon. Her work, which showed high lice infestation rates on juvenile salmon collected near salmon farms, was recently published in the prestigious Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. She is also the subject of numerous documentaries. Past winners include Canada’s former environment minister David Anderson and other notable conservationists. In bestowing the award, the group cited not only Alex’s scientific record, but also her bravery in enduring numerous personal and professional attacks resulting from her decision to alert the public to the dangers of open net-cage salmon farming. Her courage and her relentless pursuit of the truth have prompted one journalist to dub her the “Erin Brockovich of the North”. The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council in Alert Bay says, “Alexandra’s dedication and courage in facing adversity in the name of conservation is admirable and deeply appreciated by the First Nations of the Broughton Archipelago. [We] have for many years voiced concerns of pending ecological adversity in the Broughton Archipelago, and through Alexandra’s research, she has opened the eyes of the world to the issue of sea lice infestations.” Congratulations Alex!

FOLBOT IS RAFFLE PRIZE

First prize in the annual Georgia Strait Alliance spring and summer raffle will be a fully equipped Greenlander II Folbot double folding sea kayak donated by the little folding kayak company (www.foldingkayak.ca). All details will be available at www.GeorgiaStrait.org by May 1st. Ticket sales begin at the Vancouver Island Paddlefest, May 14-15 in Ladysmith, BC and over the summer are available by phone (250-753-3459) or email (gsa@GeorgiaStrait.org).

TEAM KOKATAT

Through research and discovery, Kokatat-sponsored explorers are helping to educate and increase international awareness of conservation and preservation issues. By outfitting these beneficial expeditions, Kokatat helps global explorers achieve their goals. For more, visit www.kokatat.com.

2220 Expedition: In June, Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard and John Paul Bichard launch a 60-day kayak expedition that will navigate the entire coastline of Sweden: 2220 kilometers. See www.hydropia.org/2220.
Bering Strait Odyssey: in March and April, two polar adventurers, Dixie Dransercoer and Troy Henkels, are attempting a double-back traverse of the Bering Strait, never before accomplished. See www.beringodyssey.com.
Borealis Paddling Expedition: a 90-day canoeing expedition through Northern Canada during the summer by Meg Casey, Nina Emery, Beth Halley, Karen Stanley and Emily Stirr. See www.borealispaddlingexpedition.com.
Hudson Bay Expedition: in May, Scott Miller and Todd Foster will embark upon a 2250-mile historical canoe expedition from Saint Cloud to Hudson Bay. See www.hudsonbayexpedition.com.
One World Expedition: also this May, polar explorers Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen will embark on the first summer crossing of the Arctic, in a four-month journey across the North Pole. See www.oneworldexpedition.com.
The Danish Northwest Passage Expedition: Ravn Hamberg and Peter Unold are trying to prove that the Northwest Passage can be kayaked in a single season.

CHERI PERRY JOINS IMPEX TEAM

2004 Greenlandic National Championships competitor, Cheri Perry, has accepted an invitation to join the Impex Kayaks Team. She will be representing the new Outer Island, designed by Jay Babina. “The Outer Island is the first composite kayak I have paddled that I can perform a majority of the competition rolls in,” explained Perry. “The low volume and an unobstructed lay-back make rolling this kayak simple.” Be on the lookout for Cheri around the country as she puts on clinics and seminars. www.impexkayak.com, 828-225-5201.

KAYAKING FOR AIDS

Werner Stoltz has decided to dedicate the next two years of his life to help save lives and join the fight against HIV/AIDS. He intends to paddle thousands of kilometers by sea kayak and take on some of the most treacherous waters this world has to throw at him, to raise money for children orphaned and infected by HIV/AIDS.

Stoltz starts off on the 16th of July from Dublin, attempting to circumnavigate Ireland in 35 days. Then he will paddle the coastline of the United Kingdom and southern Africa. kayak4aids@yahoo.co.uk, www.kayak4aids.com.

LADNER ACCESS

Kaymaran Adventure Tours now operates a paddling facility on the town dock in Ladner Harbour, BC. The facility, on the Elliott Street Wharf, also provides for public, non-commercial access at no charge for paddlers during daylight hours. This facility provides convenient access with parking and other amenities close by. Ladner Harbour and the adjacent Ladner Marsh and estuary/delta of the Fraser River offer great year round paddling and are among the best winter and early spring paddling venues near Vancouver. Birding and wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant. For further information: info@kaymarantours.com, 604-946-5070, www.kaymarantours.com.

ROWING FOR A CAUSE

Last year, Dale McKinnon rowed a 20-foot dory from Ketchikan, Alaska south to Bellingham, logging 778 miles to raise money for at-risk youth. Pledges benefitted the Bellingham non-profit organization, Northwest Youth Services, in their work with abused and homeless kids. This year McKinnon’s goal is to raise $10,000. She will leave Ketchikan this spring, rowing north to Skagway (about 300 statute miles) to complete the Inside Passage. To follow Dale’s progress or make a donation go to www.fairhaven.com and click on her name. Thanks to Kelli Watcherson.

TOURISM INSURANCE

Tourism in BC received a major boost with the launch of a new insurance and risk management program designed by the Council of Tourism Associations of BC (representing the interests of 18,000 tourism operators in BC: www.cotabc.com). The program encourages high safety standards and risk management practices among operators, and works closely with insurers to see that these efforts translate into meaningful savings on their insurance premiums. The program is initially setting its sights on providing liability insurance for select businesses that offer nature-based tourism experiences. Many of these operators have reported paying double, triple or more than they used to pay for similar liability coverage. For information or to register for the new insurance and risk management program, see www.Adventureinsurance.ca or contact Shaw, Sabey & Associates at 1-800-684-1911.

HISTORIC WIN IN SUPREME COURT

Justice Powers, a BC Supreme Court Judge, has ruled that the provincial BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) erred in failing to properly consult with the Xwemalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation regarding the approval of its plan to introduce Atlantic salmon smolts into pens at the mouth of Bute Inlet. Homalco Chief Darren Blaney said, “We’re very pleased with this victory. This injunction remains in place until proper consultation is completed. In other words, the operation is frozen.” Marine Harvest maintained that they did not have a legal duty to consult, but in his ruling, Justice Powers ordered the company to consult not only about the farming of Atlantic salmon but also about the locating of their fish farm. The court also used very strong language to describe the obligation of the provincial minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Eric Blueschke of the Georgia Strait Alliance, who worked closely with the Homalco on the case, said: “Justice Powers has confirmed what the Georgia Strait Alliance has been saying for over a decade—the salmon farm industry in this province is operating in the face of significant scientific knowledge gaps and inadequate regulation.” Justice Powers found that, “All of the scientists and panels involved in studying the issues confirm that there are serious gaps in knowledge and that research is needed to fill those gaps.”

STUDENTS OPPOSE FARMED FISH

Students at the University of BC are taking action to remove farmed salmon from their campus after learning that junior residences are being served the controversial seafood while their staff and visitors are dining on wild salmon. The UBC Students for Clayoquot Sound have asked UBC Food Services to remove farmed salmon from their menu. President of the group, Dave Khan, said: “Serving farmed salmon contradicts the campus message of sustainability and excellence. Farmed salmon has numerous environmental risks associated with its production as well as human health risks related to its reported higher toxicity levels.” Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is home to 26 salmon farm tenures, one of the highest densities in British Columbia. Email: Clayoquot_ubc@club.ams.ubc.ca.

TOXICS IN FARMED FISH

A new study in Environmental Health Perspectives has found flame retardants in many foods. Flame retardants, called PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are a class of industrial chemicals that are sprayed on textiles, plastics and electronics to prevent or slow down flammability. But these chemicals are now contaminating our bodies, showing up in breast milk and blood samples. The highest levels found in foods were in farmed salmon and trout. The source of the contaminants seems likely to be industrial sewage that becomes fertilizer for crops and animal feed.

BC CUTTING UP THE SAFETY NET

West Coast Environmental Law Association has issued a report prior to the upcoming May 17th election in BC, warning that years of deregulation and cuts to the civil service are a threat to the environment and public health. Their study, Cutting Up the Safety Net, shows that in the last four years the BC government has systematically rewritten all major environmental protection laws, axed long-standing policies, and cut governmental positions crucial to environmental protection. Between the 2001 budget and 2004 budget, 1,854 positions were eliminated at the Ministries of Forests, Sustainable Resource Management and Water, Land and Air Protection, including staff which monitors and enforces environmental laws.

The report finds that the government’s pro-business orientation has meant a green light for businesses that are a threat to the environment. Parks have been downsized to allow mining. The provincial energy policy says ’yes’ to coal fired electricity, a move that makes it harder to implement the Kyoto treaty on greenhouse gases. The government removed the moratorium on fish farm expansion despite evidence that farmed fish are a threat to wild salmon. It has also limited its ability to take environmental protection action in the future, putting restrictions on when it can protect community watersheds from logging, or develop plans to protect drinking water from industrial activity. For more info contact West Coast Environmental Law, 604-601-2512. Cutting up the Safety Net is available online at www. wcel.org/wcelpub/2005/14181.pdf. For more, see www.bcfacts.org and www.conservationvoters.ca.

KYOTO IN BC

The BC government under Premier Gordon Campbell opposed the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and formed a lobby bloc with Alberta to undermine and oppose Kyoto at every turn of the negotiations in 2002. They have relaxed regulations to allow for dirty, coal-fired power generation, promoted gas-fired power production, and are pushing the federal government to lift the moratorium on oil and gas drilling off BC’s coast. The Petroleum News reports that BC’s energy minister, Richard Neufeld has instructed his offshore team to “eat, breathe and sleep oil and gas, day after day.” The BC government is encouraging seismic testing in the hopes it will spur offshore oil and gas developments, despite the proven effects of seismic activity on wildlife, notably whales.