Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society news
Get into the holiday spirit by spending this Saturday in Steveston! Santa arrives at Fisherman’s Wharf at 2 pm and he will be available for photos in the Gulf of Georgia Cannery until 4 pm. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Horse-drawn tours will run from Bayview Street until 6:30 pm and the tree lighting is at 5 pm in Fisherman’s Park.
Click here for more details.
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The newly renovated Cannery Store will be open for Christmas shopping throughout December. We carry a wide range of books, clothing, gift items, and jewellery. We also have a wonderful selection of gifts featuring salmon labels.
The Cannery Store will be open 4 days a week, from Friday to Monday between Dec 4 to Dec 21st. Visit us from 12 to 5 pm for your holiday shopping!
The new Cannery Store will be unveiled on Friday, Dec 4 and will be open from 12 pm to 8 pm.
If you’re having trouble deciding on gifts, a Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society membership makes a great gift! Not only will the recipients be supporting a good cause, they will enjoy complimentary admission to the Site and a 20% discount in the Cannery Store. Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society memberships are available in person at the Cannery or by phone at 604-664-9009.
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Recently, I have been more diligent about where my seafood comes from. I try to follow the Sea Choice guidelines by foregoing red- and yellow-listed products like farmed salmon, tiger prawns, and swordfish. Whenever possible, I try to buy locally and in season. So I thought I was doing my bit for the environment. Now, research says that’s not enough.
A study published in Oryx: The International Journal of Conservation found that 36% of the world’s fisheries is used for animal feed.
The study notes pigs and chickens consume six and two times the amount of seafood as U.S. and Japanese consumers, respectively.
In Peru, the anchovy fishery produces half of the world fishmeal based on annual catches of five to 10 million tonnes, while 15 million people — half the country’s population — live in poverty and 25 per cent of infants are malnourished.
Finding alternative sources for the production of animal feed should be a priority, the study said. Fisheries that supply the fishmeal industry instead of feeding people should not receive an eco-label of sustainability. [read full article in the Vancouver Sun]
The study also found that consumer programs like Sea Choice have little impact on the world’s appetite for seafood. The authors suggest that campaigns targeting supermarket chains would be more effective, as would international standards for labelling sustainable seafood.
The study also pointed to research from the Monteray Bay Aquarium, which found that global demand for seafood continues to grow despite widespread consumer campaigns that encourage sustainable seafood choices.
“Those campaigns on a small scale and perhaps a local level can demonstrate changes,” said [lead author Jennifer] Jacquet. “We looked at what kinds of numbers are coming back from demand and consumption globally. We found consumer efforts aren’t having an effect on that scale.” …
… Last summer, Greenpeace mounted a coast-to-coast campaign to embarrass supermarkets stocking endangered or red-listed species. As a result, chains like Loblaws, Metro and Overwaitea are taking steps to create sustainable seafood policies. [read full article in The Hook]
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This year’s stunningly low sockeye run defied expectations and baffled scientists who could not find the cause. I’ve blogged about the missing salmon here and here. In August, Stephen Hume penned an article calling for both political and civic action. Now, the government has announced a judicial inquiry in the hopes of averting a collapse of the fishery.
British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cohen has been appointed to head a sweeping judicial inquiry into the collapse of the most important salmon run on the West Coast.
Justice Cohen will investigate “the causes for the decline of Fraser River sockeye salmon including, but not limited to, the impact of environmental conditions, aquaculture, predators, diseases, water temperature and other factors that may have affected the ability of sockeye salmon to reach traditional spawning grounds or reach the ocean.” [read full article]
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Canada’s Rivers at Risk, a WWF-Canada report released today urges federal and provincial governments to preserve Canada’s rivers. The report assesses the flow of 10 major Canadian rivers, including the Fraser River, and the impacts of producing more food, generating electricity, fuelling industry and quenching the thirst of expanding cities.
The water we use – when we turn on the tap for a drink, generate electricity, or grow food – is water that we share with all life on earth. The challenge for Canada, as one of the world’s water-wealthy nations, is to protect and restore the nation’s rivers while playing a leading role in feeding and fuelling an increasingly thirsty and warming world.
Federal and provincial governments must rise to the challenge by taking a leadership role on freshwater conservation in Canada, in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders, including NGOs and watershed organizations, business and industry, local and Aboriginal governments, and citizens. The future health of Canada’s rivers, and the cultures, communities, and economies that depend on them, hangs in the balance. [read full report]
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Harold Cross, with chef, Tim Vu, has been coming to eat at this hotel, the Sheraton Vancouver Airport for nearly 30 years. When they renovated they decided to name it Harold's Bistro and Bar. Photo by Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun
One of our dedicated volunteers has a restaurant named after him! Harold Cross, who devoted many hours conducting research for the What’s Afloat? exhibit is the namesake for Harold’s Bistro & Bar at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel. A recent review of the restaurant indicates it’s a great spot for lunch–no wonder it’s Harold’s favourite place.
But as unique and heartwarming the story of the naming of the restaurant is, the real telling of an eatery is in the food.
Harold’s Bistro & Bar makes the grade. I have already gone many times, but the last two visits were with my adult sons. Both have since told me they would return. [read the full article]
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International Walk to School Week is October 5th to October 9th this year. To encourage children to take the bus, Translink is offering free service to elementary and secondary students during that week. Secondary students will need to show their GoCard to ride for free.
For teachers, the bonus is that if you’re planning a fieldtrip, your class can travel on the bus for free!
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Celebrate B.C. Rivers Day at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery! On Sunday, September 27th, recieve 2 for 1 admission to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. We will be making fishy crafts and there will be live music from noon to 3 pm.
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The Cannery is haunted!
Join the ghosts in the Cannery for a spooky Halloween history tour!
Saturday, October 24th
1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm – Traditional haunted tours
5:30 pm – Extra spooky tour not recommended for children
Sunday, October 25th
1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm – Traditional haunted tours
5:30 pm – Extra spooky tour not recommended for children
Saturday, October 31st
1:00 pm – Kid-friendly tour
2:30 pm, 4:00 pm – Traditional haunted tours
5:30 pm – Extra spooky tour not recommended for children
Tours always fill up quickly so please call to book ahead!
For booking and admission information, please contact:
604-664-9009 or email us
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site of Canada
12138 Fourth Ave. Steveston, Richmond BC, V7E 3J1
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From September 8th until October 12th, the Cannery will be open weekly from Thursday to Monday.
The hours of operation are 10am to 5pm, except on Sundays which are 11am to 5pm. After October 12th, the Cannery will be closed to the public until re-opening on Feburary 1st for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
For more information please contact the Front Desk at 604-664-9009.
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