Letter to Sechelt Indian Band

The SCCA is honoured and pleased to announce the award of the 2016 John Hind-Smith Award to the shíshálh Nation Elders, Council and Members for outstanding environmental stewardship. 
 
We invite the community to join us at the Award Ceremony and Celebration on SATURDAY, MARCH 12th, 3 - 6 pm at the SIB Hall.  We will feast in celebration. Please bring a potluck item to share to augment our salmon dinner!
 
For more information contact info@thescca.ca

Click here to read the letter to Chief Craigan and Council
Last Updated: Monday, 08 February 2016 21:01

Summer 2015 Newsletter

Our Summer 2015 Newsletter is here. Read it now.

Last Updated: Friday, 03 July 2015 05:26

Breaking News: Glass Sponge Reefs protected thanks to fishing closure!

Conservation groups welcome protection for Strait of Georgia’s unique glass sponge reefs

Vancouver BC – 5 June 2015 – Local and national conservation groups are welcoming today’s announcement by the federal government of fishing closures for the Strait of Georgia’s glass sponge reefs – a global treasure found nowhere else in the world.

The SCCA has joined in efforts over the past six years with a coalition of conservation groups lead by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society to convince Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to protect these reefs.  “They are a global treasure found no-where else in the world. The reefs are thousands of years old and they are incredibly fragile,” said Sabine Jessen, National Oceans Program Director at CPAWS.

The fishing closures will prohibit all bottom contact fishing over the reefs themselves and 150 metre wide buffer around them, to ensure that the reefs are not accidentally damaged by fishing gear and to protect them from sedimentation. DFO established voluntary closures last year in order to protect the reefs while consultation was underway. The closures come after months of consultation and discussions among DFO, the conservation groups, the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, and First Nations. The conservation sector was represented by CPAWS, David Suzuki Foundation, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

Read the full press release here.

Glass Sponge Reefs map.

Pictures:  Texada glass sponge.   GSR:  Dr. Sally Leys credit.  Trawling damage to reef: Jackson Chu credit.  Dr. Sally Leys in CPAWS sub:  Bruce Kirkby credit.  GSR: Neil McDaniel credit.  Diver & Reef: Neil McDaniel credit. 

Last Updated: Monday, 08 June 2015 06:51

Annual General Meeting 2015

The SCCA's Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, June 22nd from 7-9 pm at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt.

We're excited to announce that our guest speaker will be Ruth Simons, the Executive Director of the Future of Howe Sound Society.

Memberships can be renewed at the AGM or you can join or renew online. You must be a paid-up member in order to vote.

As per SCCA policy, nominations for the Board of Directors should be forwarded to the chair of our nomination committee. If you are passionate about the environment of the Sunshine Coast and would like to contribute some time and energy, please consider a two-year term as a director. We have monthly board meetings and directors are encouraged to take on a role or an issue.

Last Updated: Thursday, 18 June 2015 01:04