Ocean Wise Approved!

Cedar Grove Lodge, a member of the Ontario Ecotourism Society, has become the first Ontario resort to be Ocean Wise approved.  Ocean Wise is a conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.  Ocean Wise works directly with restaurants and markets, ensuring that they have the most current scientific information regarding seafood and helping them make ocean-friendly buying decisions.  

According to the Vancouver Aquarium, an estimated 90% of all large, predatory fish are already gone from the world's oceans.  Recent studies have predicted a completely collapse of the fisheries industry by 2048.  Ocean Wise is a program promoting sustainable seafood options.  Their recommendations are based on four criteria:  

1)  abundant and resilient to fishing pressures

2) Well managed with a comprehensive management plan based on current research

3) Harvested in ways that limit damage to marine or aquatic habitats and negative interactions with other species.

4) Harvested in a method that ensures limited bycatch on non-target and endangered species.

A conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium, the program has been launched in conjunction with local restaurants and other conservation partners.  You can learn more about Ocean Wise by visiting:  http://www.vanaqua.org/pressroom/oceanwisefactsheet.htm

You can also read more about the eco-initiatives at Cedar Grove by visiting http://www.cedargrove.on.ca

Currently there are nine Ocean Wise Approved restaurants in Ontario.  You can view all the Ocean Wise restaurants across Canada by visiting:  http://www.vanaqua.org/oceanwise/find-restaurant.html#Ontario

It's time to "Paddle Party"!

This coming long week White Squall will be hosting a free weekend event for the whole family! The fun runs from May 16-17 at White Squall's "Paddle Party and Open House". The weekend will include the Annual Cole Lake Boat Parade, Kayak race, Kayak & Canoe Clinics, Children's events and boat trials. The event runs from 9am to 5 pm each and people can drop in anytime. You will have the opportunity to test drive the latest boats frm 20 different companies. Organic coffee, friendly chickens and ice cream will also be on hand!

Each day will feature camp cooking, slide shows, basic to high performance, workshops on navigation, weather, boat repairs, canvas canoe boat building & more.

For further information about this event and other upcoming events with White Squall please check out http://www.whitesquall.com/programmes/paddling-events.html