Heather Watson

Humpback whales are returning to the Salish Sea in growing numbers, but between the rising population and the increase in vessel traffic, collisions are also becoming more common. Emma Shuparski is the coordinator for Straightwatch Quadra Island, under Cetus Research and Conservation Society. Christie McMillan is a Senior Habitat Assessment Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and fifteen years ago co-founded the Marine Education & Research Society (MERS).Both experts shared their knowledge and experience working in research and conservation of humpback whales in this episode of Midcoast Morning, to understand the questions of why humpback strikes and mortalities seem to be increasing, and what can be done to improve humpback safety in the Salish Sea.Support Midcoast Morning and our Nonprofit Newsroom with a monthly sustaining donation of $5 to $10 a month.Podcast Photo: Humpback Whales (Elianne Dipp/Pexels)

Cree artist and creator George Littlechild is sharing his art with the Comox Valley this fall with a vast exhibition at the Comox Valley Art Gallery and a special film screening at North Island College. The film being screened this Saturday, October 4th is nanekawâsis, a documentary featuring Little Child's life and art. Both the artist George Littlechild and the filmmaker Conor McNally will be in attendance at the screening on Saturday. Littlechild spoke about the film, the ongoing art exhibition at the CVAG, and his experience as an Indigenous creator, a Sixties Scoop survivor, and a Two Spirit person. Metis filmmaker Conor McNally describes the experience of making the film. You can learn more about the film screening here.Support Midcoast Morning and our Nonprofit Newsroom with a monthly sustaining donation of $5 to $10 a month.

History is being carried into the future in the town of Comox with a viewing platform planned to be built on the foundation of Mack Laing's old house, Shakesides in Mack Laing Nature Park. The outdoor space will honour the historic figure's life, legacy, and wishes for future generations. But the decision is a hot topic of debate in the Comox Valley, and the question still remains, what will be done with the old historic house? Will Shakesides be demolished to make way for the new ode to the past, or will it be relocated to a new site where it can be restored and maintained?