Ocean Week Canada 2026 launched June 1 and the media has been covering events from coast to coast to coast. Here's the collection of coverage we've seen so far. If you have something to add, please email it to [email protected]. Thank you!
World Ocean Week in Canada will be celebrated in Cape Breton with a special morning film screening and breakfast at St. Columba Parish Centre in Iona on June 7. You can find the full article in a pop-up window on the Press Reader website. If you don't see it at the top of the home page, you'll find it in the Science section. Paid access is required to share a direct link or print a copy of the article.
This opinion piece by Ron Thiessen of the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society argues for the immediate launch of a feasibility study for a National Marine Conservation Area in Western Hudson Bay. Thiessen highlights the tension between significant government investments in expanding the Port of Churchill for year-round shipping and the urgent need to protect the region's sensitive marine ecosystem, which supports polar bears, beluga whales, and Indigenous cultures. The article contends that conservation planning must precede industrial development to prevent irreversible environmental damage from increased vessel traffic and noise pollution. By citing successful conservation models in British Columbia and Quebec, the author asserts that a well-designed conservation area can balance economic opportunities with ecological stewardship. Ultimately, the piece calls on the federal government to partner with Manitoba and local communities to prioritize environmental protection alongside economic growth in the Hudson Bay region.
Entanglements: a Scientifically Accurate Ocean Circus Show for Ocean Week An exploration of ecological anxiety, grief, and hope. Island Circus Space presents Entanglements: a Scientifically Accurate Ocean Circus Show. The show pairs contemporary circus with scientific research to tell the story of ocean deoxygenation and its impacts on local marine ecosystems. Audience members will be immersed in Barkley Canyon, off the coast of Vancouver Island, where warming waters are reducing oxygen and reshaping marine life. Featuring acrobatics, flow arts, contortion and truly breathtaking aerials! Tickets are $30 plus a sliding scale donation, with all proceeds going to two Indigenous charities on W̱SÁNEĆ land: the PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation and the W̱SÁNEĆ Land Trust Society. Purchase your tickets here. Where: 903 Devonshire Road When: Saturday, June 7th – shows at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The "March for Atlantic Salmon" will take place on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Majestic Lawn in Corner Brook as part of World Oceans Week. Organized by the Atlantic Healthy Oceans Initiative, the event aims to promote ocean health and oppose the expansion of open-net salmon aquaculture, highlighting the endangered status of wild Atlantic salmon on the south coast. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink or blue and bring their families to join First Nations representatives, tourism operators, and concerned citizens. The gathering will also feature a special top chef pop-up celebration to complement the advocacy efforts.
Ocean Week celebrations in Cape Breton feature community-led initiatives focused on water safety and environmental stewardship. Events hosted by the Iona Centre along the Bras d’Or Lake aim to educate the public on maintaining clean and healthy waterways. These activities highlight the cultural hub's role in promoting local environmental awareness and conservation efforts.
Près de 160 kilos de déchets ont été retirés des berges de la baie des Ha ! Ha ! lors d’une corvée de nettoyage organisée lundi dans le cadre de la 7e édition de la Semaine de l’océan Québec.
This Radio-Canada OHdio podcast episode, titled "La Semaine de l’océan partout au Canada : des activités chez nous," highlights local events and activities celebrating Ocean Week across Canada. Part of the morning show "Toujours le matin" hosted by Marie-Claude Julien, the seven-minute segment aired on June 2, 2026. It serves as an audio guide for listeners interested in participating in ocean-related initiatives and educational programs in their communities. The content aims to raise awareness about marine conservation while connecting Canadians with regional opportunities to engage with the ocean.
This Radio-Canada OHdio page features a 12-minute audio segment titled "Chronique Océans" hosted by Lyne Morissette. The episode, part of the "L'heure de pointe Acadie" program, focuses on Ocean Week and was released on June 3, 2026. Listeners can stream the full episode directly through the platform or access it via the Radio-Canada mobile application. The content provides an auditory experience centered on marine topics within the context of regional news and cultural programming.
Researchers from Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have unveiled previously unseen ancient cold-water corals discovered on the Southern Newfoundland Slope near the Grand Banks. The expedition, conducted last October using drop cameras, revealed vibrant deep-sea ecosystems, including a century-old Bubblegum coral, which serve as vital indicators of geological history and marine health. These findings highlight the ecological significance of the region, explaining the area's rich biodiversity and long history of commercial fishing. While immediate regulatory changes are not being proposed, the team aims to raise public awareness about these hidden offshore habitats ahead of World Oceans Day.