Twenty Years . . .
Twenty years ago today I returned to British Columbia after having taught in the Netherlands for many years. I wanted to learn from Nature and I wanted to make it count.
Forgive the following introspection.
You’ll understand such reflection comes with anniversaries and being perplexed by the passage of time even though it is the one great constant . . . one minute passing into the next, days stacking into years, and years becoming the stories of our lives.
1999 – Photographer unfortunately unknown.
So much has changed. So much has not.
Thank you to the many of you for being part of this path. Thank you for helping show the way forward whereby I continue to learn from Nature and strive to make it count for those who are ultimately my guides, and my bosses . . . children.
There’s something that will never change.
August 2018. You’ll note my ability to point at things has not diminished. 😉 Photo: Captain Kevin Smith, Maple Leaf Adventures.
The Marine Detective 
5 Responses to “Twenty Years . . .”
Wonderful introspection! I join with many others in congratulating you on your decisio to make the undersea world count. It is with gratitude that I read and study your work in the dark depths off of Northern Vancouver Islsnd. May you continue to be such a success.
What are your thoughts on the new bill passed by Canadian Congress regarding captive whales & dolphins, including Orcas at Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium.
How can we help to have ut passed by the Senate ( or do I have that backwards?)?
What a tradgedy it has taken so long, yet they can keep those they have, still in captivity & not in sanctuaries.
Thank you for your 20 yrs of service in the NW Pacific.
Here’s the information relating to the October 2018 Bill. It’s a step closer. Bill was passed by Senate after 3 years of debate. Still needs to be passed by House of Commons. Would involve fines up to $200,000. You can see the entire “BILL S-203 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins)” at this link http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/S-203/third-reading. Yes, it does include exception for rehabilitation and for those with cetaceans in captivity at the time the Bill goes into force i.e. exception for a person who ” . . . has the custody of or controls a cetacean that is kept in captivity for the purpose of providing it with assistance or care or to rehabilitate it following an injury or another state of distress” and a person who “owns, has the custody of or controls a cetacean that is kept in captivity at the coming into force of this section and remains continuously in captivity thereafter.”
See the CBC story at https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tasker-whale-dolphin-captivity-canada-senate-bill-1.4876136.
Thank you Jackie for generously sharing your 20th anniversary reflections. So wonderful to see the determination, passion (and of course humour) showing in the two photos spanning those years! You are making a real difference.
Margaret
Re Bill S203 Long awaited legislation.
Where did humankind get the idea that marine mammals could be “owned” and treated like a commodity ?? Thank goodness for MERS and others educating us.
Thank you so much Margaret. We did it to other humans too re. “ownership”. Motivated hugely to avoid devolution of our values, as I know you are. ❤