"It all happened so fast." Such are the famous last words of a person who is scrambling to find an explanation for a mistake they committed or incredibly unusual behavior. Normally it is only offered as an excuse to someone who is going to judge or question this behavior. But today, the only person around … Continue reading A former vegan eats bacon for the environment
Vancouver is a foodie's paradise. Head to Chinatown and choose from hundreds of hole-in-the-wall joints with sesame buns, hot pot, classic tofu dishes and dim sum that will leave you full for days. Walk a little farther south and the gold and red dragon arches give way to cobblestone streets and Victorian buildings. Gastown, a … Continue reading A gift of smoked salmon to last the season
Seafood is the backbone of many coastal societies. At the dinner table, it's become one and the same. I've built this guide to inform anyone who's ever eaten a fish and wonders how their choice has an impact on the rest of the food system. Beyond a binary 'eat' and 'not eat', I've considered many aspects that go into the sustainability of a species. Most importantly, I stress that plant-based eating should govern the way we eat to minimize our impact on the oceans.
I find myself staring out at the Vancouver waterfront on a gloomy Friday afternoon with little hope of seeing a fish. Of course, this is due to a number of factors unrelated to the lack of fish in the water, like the fact that the clouds are so ubiquitous here, I've given them names. I … Continue reading Where the wild things are? The how and what to do of wild fisheries declines
Cabbage Island beach, where our "beach" fluffing took place at low tide. As a researcher, my first contact with something new marks the beginnings of new and exciting experiments. The standard protocol consists of scanning the surrounding area, formulating questions, and most importantly, contextualizing one's surroundings in relation to the environment in question. While marveling … Continue reading A rare case of human-environment harmony: Clam gardens restoration project, Gulf Islands, BC
Dedicated to all the New Englanders who are currently digging their way out of our first winter snowstorm, here I describe my first camping experience in the Canadian winter, and why it may be worthwhile to force ourselves to stay out in the cold.
I've only just begun my preliminary research into a topic that has captured my attention for the past couple of years: sea otter recovery in the Pacific Northwest. Before arriving in Vancouver for my research Fulbright, upon telling my friends and family that I am working on a "sea otter recovery project", those who wanted … Continue reading Day 4 in Vancouver: Making a confession to the otter lovers
Hit ’em with the facts!
They have no eyes, hearts, or complex nervous systems, yet these gelatinous creatures have managed to thrive in the open ocean, particularly over the past decade. Destructive jellyfish blooms have been appearing more frequently across the coasts of the Northeast US, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean, and New Zealand (Condon et al. 2013, Brodeur et al., … Continue reading The Great Jellyfish Invasion: Natural or Human-Induced?
Our Protected Coast 