EcoNews — Smart stewardship, help for whales, and a big ‘thank you!’

In this edition of EcoNews, we bring you a great story about conservation in action from the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy; we give you our reaction to and analysis of the long-awaited New Brunswick water protection strategy, and then our less enthusiastic response to a largely flat-footed climate change bill in N.B.; we update you on the latest measures aimed at protecting north Atlantic right whales in our waters; and give you media clipping highlights from a busy end of 2017 and beginning of 2018. 

NEWS

Smart stewardship always pays off

Check out this short read on how conservation measures are helping the greater Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy lobster fisheries withstand the impacts of climate change and rising ocean temperatures.

At long last, we have a water protection strategy

Just before the holidays, your Conservation Council got to cross an item off our list of priorities that we’d been itching to do for years and years — we finally have a comprehensive water protection strategy for New Brunswick. The provincial government unveiled its strategy in late December, a plan that includes short-term and long-term goals, setting a baseline classification system for rivers, annual water quality reporting, and a new law that’s based in science. See what our Executive Director Lois Corbett, who was part of the technical working group that advised the Minster of Environment, has to say about it.

Legislation misses mark on protecting families and communities from worst of climate change impacts in N.B.

While your Conservation Council was pleased with the government’s water protection strategy, we weren’t so enthused to see the substance (or lack thereof) in the province’s other big December 2017 announcement: the release of its climate change legislation. Don’t get us wrong — enshrining climate change targets in law is a smart step, but our Executive Director doubts the government’s plan goes far enough to protect the health and safety of New Brunswickers families and communities already dealing with the impacts of extreme ice storms, hurricanes and flooding caused by climate change. We didn’t see too much more to be excited about in the province’s 2018-19 budget, out late last month, either.

New measures to help right whales’ safe passage

New measures for the snow crab fishery will be in place to help north Atlantic right whales safely return to the Gulf of St. Lawrence next summer. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans says more changes are coming in the weeks and months ahead, which will “most likely” include speed restrictions for tankers.

Fed’s draft carbon pricing legislation is out

The federal government released its draft system for pricing carbon pollution late last month. Find our statement below, along with links to a helpful backgrounder brief for you.

Sending the love right back to you — thank you, so much, to the hundreds of supporters who contributed to our year-end fundraising drive.  Your generous donations will help us accomplish big things, together, in 2018!

IN THE NEWS

We work hard to make sure a strong environmental voice is heard in the New Brunswick print, radio and television media. Here are the latest stories CCNB staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary:

Feb. 1, 2018  Another missed opportunity: Corbett on on budget 2018-19

Jan. 22, 2018 — Baykeeper watching as world’s largest salmon farming company moves into Bay of Fundy

Jan. 3, 2018 — Corbett on the provincial water protection strategy

Dec. 15, 2017 — No incentives: Corbett pans province’s climate change bill

Dec. 14, 2017 — Corbett comments on hunt for new fuel source for coal-fired Belledune

 

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Share this Post

Scroll to Top