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Through the looking glass (sponges): examining protections for our natural world

Canada's environmental protections are not as stringent as many think argues Anton van Walraven.
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We live on a wonderful island in the wonderful Salish Sea. And we have people like Adam Taylor and Bob Turner who are out there, in or on the waters of Atl’Kitsem / Howe Sound, bringing back stories of wonder and close encounters with the creatures who live in the liquid world that is so close, yet so very different from ours. 

Adam Taylor is probably one of the few humans most familiar with this liquid world and its inhabitants; he is president of the B.C. Underwaterworld Council. The Undercurrent has reported on his work numerous times over the years: especially his works with Glen Dennison to successfully advocate for the protection of glass sponge reefs. 

At times, we also have advocating off-islanders visit us bringing stories and news about decisions that affect the lives of all creatures, under and above water. 

Last weekend, Devon Page, executive director of Ecojustice, came to Bowen Island to give a talk about the state of wildlife and wilderness protection in Canada. 

Ecojustice, formerly Sierra Legal Defense Fund, supports individuals and environmental organizations by defending their cases in court or suing governments on their behalf. 

In many cases, such as that of wild salmon scientist and open-pen salmon farm opponent Alexandra Morton, Ecojustice is suing because the government is ignoring its own laws. 

Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, our Member of Parliament, has taken the position that salmon farming should take place in closed-containment systems. Something demanded by salmon farm critics for some time now. 

Yet, how serious can we take PGJ’s position, when a colleague, a fellow party member, representative for the neighbouring riding of North Vancouver and, too, the Minister of Fisheries, Jonathan Wilkinson, is the target of Ecojustice’s next case? A case that will most likely lead to Ecojustice’s fourth court victory over the minister. Will the minister then finally enforce the prohibition of an illegal practice; salmon farms introducing a disease agent into Pacific waters by stocking their open pens with Atlantic salmon that have tested positive for the piscine reovirus. 

I’ve followed this case but thought that, apart from some other exceptions, Canada’s protection of natural areas and wildlife was not too bad. Could I have been more wrong? 

I was shocked to learn from Devon that the farmed salmon example is illustrative of how Canada talks the talk about protecting wildlife and natural areas, but doesn’t walk the walk. 

Deep cuts in staffing and budgets from the Harper era have not been brought back to levels where Canadians can be assured that wildlife numbers are not falling. Poor compliance with and lack of enforcement of existing laws are culprits but according to Canada’s commissioner of the environment and sustainable development indicated in a 2018 spring report on conserving biodiversity there is no systematic approach to meeting Canada’s 2020 goals for conserving wildlife. Due to the absence of comprehensive information gathering by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the ministry simply doesn’t know how it’s doing. 

To come back to our neck of the woods; no doubt Adam Taylor and many of us were pleasantly surprised when Wilkinson announced that more glass sponge reefs in Atl’Kitsem / Howe Sound will fall under federal protection. 

This is wonderful news! 

But, in light of Devon’s talk, I cannot help thinking: who will do the enforcement? Is there a budget for this? Or will enforcement happen here in Atl’Kitsem / Howe Sound just because there are many eyes to see it happening, taking attention away from the places where enforcement is sorely lacking? 

After all, we are in an election year and we will see many announcements and press releases coming our way, trying to persuade us to vote for this or that party. 

It’s like buying a used car. The shine, the “super clean” and “it comes with a CD–player” distract us from the real issues. 

We know what to do in that circumstance: come well prepared and decide carefully.