Ocean Watch reports provide snapshots of coastal ocean health
Keeping our coasts and oceans healthy starts with understanding what is happening. The Coastal Ocean Research Institute (CORI) was established to do just that. Ocean Watch delves into what’s happening in our coastal ecosystems through a series of articles organized into seven themes: species and habitats, clean water, sense of place and wellbeing, coastal development and livelihoods, stewardship and governance, oceanography and climate change, and seafood. Our aim is to produce independent, credible, and engaging information so that you are inspired to make better decisions for nature and all the people who live along the coast in British Columbia.
From the exposed west coasts of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, to the deep fjords and channels cutting into the British Columbia mainland, to the sparkling Salish Sea, diversity along the B.C. Coast is unrivalled. A rich array of sea life has supported Indigenous peoples along this coast since time immemorial and settlers have contributed cultural diversity over the past few centuries. Much of the B.C. coast is still relatively pristine, but the impacts of human activities extend far beyond population centers. Acknowledging that population growth, increasing resource extraction, and uncertain impacts of climate change are stressing the integrity of coastal ecosystems, many residents are seeking ways to improve the ways we interact with British Columbia's coast.