tagged w/ British Columbia
-
About 40,000 Atlantic salmon have escaped from a fish farm on the B.C. coast.
Marine Harvest Canada says the fish escaped Wednesday from its farm at Port Elizabeth, on the Pacific Coast about 400 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.
The company says divers discovered several holes in two pens at the farm and efforts are being made to prevent more escapes from the pens, which still hold thousands of fish.
The Living Oceans Society environmental group says hundreds of thousands of farmed salmon escape every year.
"This demonstrates once again the urgent need to transition all open net-cage farms to closed containment systems," said Will Soltau, local co-ordinator of the society's salmon farm campaign told the Campbell River Mirror.
"This will be a major financial loss to the company and another blow to the health of our marine ecosystems and wild salmon populations,' said Soltau.
Conservationists say escaped farm salmon can spread disease and sea lice to wild salmon on the B.C. coast.
Marine Harvest is the biggest aquaculture company in B.C., according to the company's website.About 40,000 Atlantic salmon have escaped from a fish farm on the B.C. coast.... more
-
-
The Other Guys is filming at the the Algonquin, near 24th and Park, NYC again today. They are also filming around Lynch St and Marcy Ave in Brooklyn.
Thanks OLV for the tip
Sex and the City 2 is filming at the Steiner Studios.
NCIS is filming in LA from 07:00am to 10:00pm at 1360 E. 6th St
Location Manager
Castle TV series is filming from 7:00am - 7:00pm at 535 S. Grand Ave and 506 S. Grand Ave,
5pm til 3am at 530 S Spring St, and 9am til 7pm at 433 S Spring St in Los Angeles
SOUTHLAND is filming from 9am til 6pm at 603 S Broadway and 11am til 6pm at 200 N Spring St in Los Angeles.
“What’s wrong with Virginia?” is in zeeland, MI the house is on central off the corner of state street. the big gold ’set’ signs can’t be missed!
Click the link for more filming locationsThe Other Guys is filming at the the Algonquin, near 24th and Park, NYC again today.... more
-
-
The Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon, is filming at the Javits Center, 644 W 34th, NYC.
White Collar, a new series on USA, is filming on Broadway between Broome and Spring Street, New York City, 9 am- 11 pm.
Signs also spotted on Crosby & Broadway
signs are posted at crosby street and broome street too.
Nurse Jackie will be filming inside the New London Pharmacy.
Rescue Me is filming around Madison Ave and 122nd, New York City.
How To Make It in America, a new HBO series, is filming on Moore St, between Bogart and White in Brooklyn again.
Gossip Girl is filming around 61st between Broadway and 9th Ave and on 9th Ave between 60th and 59th, New York City.
Click the link for more filming locationsThe Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon, is filming at the Javits Center, 644 W... more
-
-
Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Vancouver Saturday, asking the government of Canada to do more to protect wild salmon, specifically to ban open-net salmon farms.
Organized by a group called Wild Salmon Circle, the event in Vancouver drew an estimated 600 or more people. The rally was held because the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has been largely silent on the collapse of the Sockeye salmon fishery. Many biologists and fishermen link the collapse of the salmon to fish farms. Farmed salmon are thought to be the source of sea lice infestations, which is believed to be the reason for the loss of about 9 million Sockeye salmon. Of the over 10 million Sockeye expected to return for spawning this fall, only 1.7 million came back.
At the rally yesterday, the Wild Salmon Circle urged the the public to boycott farmed fish. Biologist Alexandra Morton, who earlier this year expressed hope that wild salmon would be protected by the DFO because the agency is "mandated to put wild salmon first." helped organize yesterday's rally. Speaking at the rally, Morton called for an inquiry into the decline of the salmon. Morton and others were also demanding that the DFO ban open net salmon farms, which are seen to be a key source of contamination for wild salmon.
There has been no federal response to the collapse of the Sockeye fishery, nor the demands to limit the types of salmon farms. Salmon farms, largely owned by non-Canadians, have been a contentious issue for years. Experts and fisherman have accused Minister of the DFO, Gail Shea, of ignoring the salmon crisis whilst courting Norwegian aquaculture businesses earlier this summer when the Sockeye run collapsed. Fish farms have long been viewed as risky to native fish.Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Vancouver Saturday, asking the government of... more
-
-
University administrators of Simon Fraser University, located in British Columbia revealed what they think is the worst grade, adding to all the letters that are universally (mostly) used for the grading system.
The so called worst grade is called "FD" -- meaning failure with dishonesty -- therefore surpassing the current (let's say "former" or "ex") worst grade F.
Ahh Canadians! How i love thee!University administrators of Simon Fraser University, located in British Columbia... more
-
-
Millions of sockeye salmon have disappeared mysteriously from a river on Canada's Pacific Coast that was once known as the world's most fertile spawning ground for sockeye.
Up to 10.6 million bright-red sockeye salmon were expected to return to spawn this summer on the Fraser River, which empties into the Pacific ocean near Vancouver, British Columbia. The latest estimates say fewer than 1 million have returned.
The Canadian government has closed the river to commercial and recreational sockeye fishing for the third straight year, hitting the livelihood of nearby Indian reserves.
"It's quite the shocking drop," said Stan Proboszcz, fisheries biologist at the Watershed Watch Salmon Society. "No one's exactly sure what happened to these fish."
Salmon are born in fresh water before migrating to oceans to feed. They return as adults to the same rivers to spawn.
Several theories have been put forward to try to explain the sockeye's disappearance:
continued at the linkMillions of sockeye salmon have disappeared mysteriously from a river on Canada's... more
-
-
Protect the Bears of the Great Bear Rainforest - Stop the trophy hunting of bears in the Great Bear Rainforest ahead of the 2010 Olympics!
British Columbia, Canada, is the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is also home to the Great Bear Rainforest—one of the last tracts of temperate rainforest on earth.
You might think that here, bears could live in peace. But each year, trophy hunters slaughter black and grizzly bears with rifles and crossbows for entertainment.
Unless we act now, there may one day be a Great Bear Rainforest without bears.
With the 2010 Olympic Games fast approaching, the eyes of the international community are on the province of British Columbia.
The trophy hunting of bears in the Great Bear Rainforest is opposed by 78 percent of British Columbians—including the indigenous peoples of Coastal First Nations—and the government's refusal to stop the cruel kill is damaging Canada's international reputation.
Please stand with Humane Society International and First Nations to protect the bears.
Contact the government of British Columbia and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games—let them know that you will consider avoiding the Olympic Games as long as trophy bear hunting continues in the Great Bear Rainforest.
Please act now—your voice is vital to saving the bears.
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/hsi_bc_bears_olympicsProtect the Bears of the Great Bear Rainforest - Stop the trophy hunting of bears in... more
-
-
A new sport that's like skateboarding on snow is taking root in the back country of British Columbia, Canada.
Check out the noboard. No bindings. Nothing but you and your board. In order to stay on, you hold onto a rope that's attached to your board.A new sport that's like skateboarding on snow is taking root in the back country of... more
-
-
Hey folks,
If you watch the documentary 'The Union' be ready to have some serious facts thrown down on ya.
The film takes you into the underground world of grow operations and the business behind the Marijuana Industry and Cannabis trade in the U.S.
The Union trumps the half assed CBS original documentary 'Marijuana Inc.' an hour long feature that was rife with rigged numbers and a completely ignorant host. MJ Inc made me sick to watch, the scene with the hostess incenuating that marijuana is worse than it really is.
That aside, I give filmmaker Adam Scorgie thumbs up for taking a most dedicated approach to this topic. As a pot smoker, or ganja enthusiast, I appreciate this gentleman's work as a documentarian and how this film can bring people up to speed with Marijuana culture, economy and law, which is something this country greatly needs.
peacecake.Hey folks,
If you watch the documentary 'The Union' be ready to have some serious... more
-
-
The need to refinance construction of the athletes village for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver is urgent enough for a special session of the British Columbia Legislature to be held, Premier Gordon Campbell said on Wednesday.
Lawmakers will be called back to work once legislation has been drafted that will give Vancouver the power to quickly borrow the more than C$450 million needed to complete the facility in time for the Games, Campbell said.
The Canadian city has found itself on the financial hook for the C$1 billion project, which was supposed to be privately funded. But funding evaporated as construction costs rose and the real estate market soured.
A loan to the villages developer to allow it to build the facility and purchase land from the city was to have been paid off by selling the housing after the Olympics as high-end condominiums.
"This is very urgent... there are significant downsides to dithering on it," Campbell said.
The Legislature's regular session is not scheduled to start until February.
Vancouver needs the provincial government to modify the city's charter to allow it to borrow the large amount of money without putting to the question to a public vote in a city referendum, which could be a lengthy process.
The city has been negotiating with the project's lenders, led by Fortress Investment Group, in a so far unsuccessful bid to get them to resume funding to developer Millennium Development that was frozen in September.
A direct loan to Millennium from the city could replace the private loan negotiated in 2007, which local media have reported charges an 11 percent interest rate.
Campbell said he remains confident the project, which will house some 2,800 athletes and officials, will be ready in time for the Games in February 2010.
Both Standard & Poor's and DBRS have warned the financing problems could hurt the city's credit rating if the city is forced to borrow extensively to ensure the village is ready when the Games begin in February 2010.
The Winter Olympics will also have an athletes village in the ski resort of Whistler, British Columbia. That project does not need to be refinanced.The need to refinance construction of the athletes village for the 2010 Winter... more
-
-
British Columbia, has achieved another first in Canada: Dockside Green, already a groundbreaking green residential and commercial development in Victoria will save 265 million litres of water and result in lower water bills for residents!British Columbia, has achieved another first in Canada: Dockside Green, already a... more
-
-
Dockside Green, already a groundbreaking green residential and commercial development in Victoria, British Columbia, has achieved another first in Canada: It's now treating 100 per cent of its sewage on-site and is using an integrated approach to water treatment and conservation to reuse treated water for flushing toilets, irrigation and the creation of natural water features including a series of natural creeks and ponds that flow the length of the entire community.
The initiative will save 265 million litres of water and result in lower water bills for residents. How's that possible? Well, they will using less water and will be exempt from paying municipal sewage charges.Dockside Green, already a groundbreaking green residential and commercial development... more
-
-
Experts are worried for Great Pacific Blue Heron. 2008 has been the worst breeding year and the rate has fallen by 50%Experts are worried for Great Pacific Blue Heron. 2008 has been the worst breeding... more
-
-
Nickelback released there new album yesterday which is called "Dark Horse". It includes there new single "Gotta be somebody"
The new single is going to be a hit, I love it! I have always been a fan of Nickelback yet felt "Rockstar" was pretty cheap but hey cheap sells.
Check out there new song in its fullness on nickelback.com
Also you can hear other songs from the album and there classic NickelbackNickelback released there new album yesterday which is called "Dark Horse". It... more
-
-
A BC man must pay $10,000 and do 100 hours of community service after being convicted of possession of, and trafficking in, dead wildlife under the Wildlife Act.
A BC man must pay $10,000 and do 100 hours of community service after being... more
-
-
Seven endangered southern resident killer whales are believed to have died over the last year, leading some orca watchers to fear for the survival of the three pods that spend their time around southern Vancouver Island and Puget Sound.
The tally comes from the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbour, which had difficulty completing its count this year because the whales were unusually spread out.
If all seven have died, it brings the population to 83 and represents the biggest die-off in 10 years. The population is believed to have stood historically at about 120 and its lowest point, after decades of shooting and capture, was 71 in 1973.
"I believe they are starving," said Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research executive director. "They need to eat, and that means they need chinook salmon. We have to manage our wild salmon properly, and that means for the benefit of the ecosystem and natural world, rather than jobs."
Some deaths had already been reported, such as the unsurprising death of 98-year-old K7, known as Lummi. Two of the three calves born in the last year - L111 and J43 - have also died. That mortality rate is not unusual, as the survival rate for calves in the first year is 50 per cent, Balcomb said.
However, alarm signals are going up because of the presumed death of two breeding age females, including the mother of Luna, the lone killer whale which turned up in Nootka Sound and died two years ago.
"It's devastating, and all the more tragic to be losing reproductive females," Balcomb said.
Splash, before she disappeared, had a "peanut head," meaning a dip below the blowhole, which usually indicates the whale is starving.
If the chinook salmon shortage can be turned around and the whales can survive the lean years, they have a chance, Balcomb said.
"But it's going to be at least 20 years of nail-biting to see if they are going to make it."
Studies conclude that the major risks for the southern residents are lack of salmon, toxins in the water and disturbance from boats.
A number of environmental groups are suing the federal government for failing to protect the critical environment of the southern resident orcas and the threatened northern residents under the Species at Risk Act.
Howard Garrett of the Orca Network fears this year is the start of a downturn in the population.
"This is a drastically steep drop-off and, if the conditions don't improve, meaning more chinook, we might see this for the next few years and this population can't stand that," he said.
"It's hard to imagine they could disappear."Seven endangered southern resident killer whales are believed to have died over the... more
-
-
Photos from Vancouver, BC on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
-
-
Some pharmacists in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside routinely pay cash to drug addicts for filling their prescriptions, a CBC hidden-camera investigation has found.
The practice was revealed after several doctors complained that pharmacies were giving $10 a week or more to clients for each prescription filled if the drugs were dispensed daily. The daily prescription entitles the pharmacist to a daily dispensing fee, rather than a single fee for a long-term prescription
In the drug-ravaged neighbourhood, $10 cash buys a "rock" of crack cocaine.
"All of a sudden we had a lot more [illegal-drug] dealers hanging around our clinic," said Dr. Helen Weiss of the Vancouver Native Health Clinic (VNHC) on East Hastings Street. "The cash deal is available to everyone who goes to certain pharmacies."
"Now you have patients being very demanding and trying to be very directive as to what they should get in terms of their prescriptions," said Dr. David Tu. "There is a lot of frustration amongst the doctors."
The more prescriptions a pharmacy fills for customers covered by PharmaCare — the provincial agency that uses taxpayers' money to help eligible British Columbia residents cover the cost of eligible prescription drugs — the more money it can charge.
Most of the addicts in the Downtown Eastside are covered by the plan.
The province pays pharmacies $8.60 each time they dispense a drug, even if it's just a single pill handed out daily. On top of that, the pharmacies get an additional $7.70 per daily dose for dispensing methadone and supervising the patient as they drink it.
Continued..........
Some pharmacists in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside routinely pay cash to drug addicts... more
-
-
A prominent private Vancouver-area golf club has developed an English-language-only policy for its prospective members, similar to the one the LPGA Tour has said it plans to implement for its international players.
Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C.'s second-oldest golf course, has recently begun rejecting membership applications from individuals who can't speak English.
General manager Brent Gough, whose club has played host to two previous LPGA Tour events and hopes to land another one within the next five years, said the club changed its policies after it encountered problems with some of its new Korean members.
The Coquitlam area has a large Korean population and Mr. Gough said many members of the local Korean community had joined the club in recent years. Some of them were not proficient in English.
"It got to a point where we had signed up a lot of Korean members and it wasn't long until they were breaking many of the rules and weren't participating because they couldn't read anything or speak or communicate with us," Mr. Gough said Thursday.
Mr. Gough said the club has rejected a number of recent applicants from a variety of ethnic backgrounds who have not been able to demonstrate they can speak English. A prominent private Vancouver-area golf club has developed an English-language-only... more
-
-
A man convicted of violently raping several women at knife point more than 20 years ago has surrendered to authorities in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey, B.C., after a warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this week.
Paul Douglas Callow, 52, turned himself in at a Surrey courthouse Friday morning.
"There was an outstanding warrant and he found out about it and surrendered," B.C. Crown prosecutor spokesman Neil MacKenzie said.
Dubbed the "balcony rapist," Callow was wanted by authorities after he allegedly left B.C. without giving his parole officer at least three days written notice - breaching one of the terms of his release. It's alleged he left the province on July 12.
Callow served his entire 20-year sentence for a string of five sexual assaults that occurred in downtown Toronto in the summer of 1986.
He was released earlier this year.
Callow would stalk his victims to find out if they lived alone, then break into their second- and third-floor apartments through their balcony doors, tie them up and rape them.
He also was released under the condition that he never enter Ontario without prior permission from the courts.
A National Parole Board panel has deemed him at high risk of re offending.
MacKenzie said Callow has been re-released and is set to appear in a Chilliwack, B.C., court on Oct. 4.A man convicted of violently raping several women at knife point more than 20 years... more
-
