Dogs will temporarily not be allowed on a west Vancouver Island beach due to a seasonal ban to protect migratory shorebirds.

Combers Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park between Tofino and Ucluelet will have the ban in effect from April 14 to Oct. 1. The area will be specifically between Sandhill Creek and Green Point Rocks.

Parks Canada says the furry friends will not be allowed on the Combers Beach Trail or the boardwalk access to Combers Beach from Green Point Campground either. They add the beaches will be patrolled by Parks Canada staff and law enforcement, who will give out fines if necessary.

The regulation will be actively enforced under Canada’s National Parks Act, according to Parks Canada.

Recent estimates suggest over 500,000 migratory birds, including 30 species, make landfall on the local beaches twice every year, according to Parks Canada. They add dogs off-leash often chase the birds, causing them to spend energy that they need to migrate.

“In light of our increasing understanding of the importance of the Long Beach area to migratory shorebirds, this limited measure is being taken to decrease disturbance of shorebirds during a critical time of their annual cycle – migration,” said Parks Canada.

Ways to prevent this are to keep dogs on leash, observe from at least 25 metres away and obey the beach closure, according to Parks Canada.

Dogs are permitted at other areas of the park on leash. The government adds dogs can be seen as threats or food to large animals and may be attacked by wolves and other wildlife including cougars and bears.

Parks Canada adds that many visitors may not be dog lovers and keeping them on a leash is more respectful of other visitors.

They ask visitors to alert others of dogs in the area or Parks Canada by calling 250-726-3604.

The post Dogs temporarily banned from Combers Beach in Pacific Rim National Park appeared first on My Campbell River Now.

Tribal Journeys 2017 is underway in Campbell River.

Paddlers from across the world arrived at Tyee Spit yesterday following a two week journey, which ends Thursday.

Several dignitaries were on hand to witness the event, including BC's Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon and the Federal Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould.

Wilson-Raybould, a member of the Wei Wai Kai First Nation, calls the event a special event for all peoples.

"It's an experience where you get to share your culture with other nations that have paddled here.

It's an opportunity to understand how rich the Indigenous communities are in this territory and throughout the world."

Wilson-Raybould also notes it's a real pleasure taking part in Tribal Journeys, saying "it's not often Tribal Journeys ends in your territory. I'm incredibly honoured to join all the paddlers and all the people who have come together, to recognize we're stronger together."

The post Tribal Journeys Arrives In Campbell River appeared first on My Campbell River Now.

Officials will be looking into why it took an hour and a half to pull boaters from the water after their vessel sank off the west coast of the Island.

The 8.5 metre catamaran began taking on water Sunday, near Bartlett Island.

The distress call came in to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre at around 1:20. Float plane pilots from the West coast took to the air to search for them, along with Coast Guard and crews from CFB Comox.

The passengers were pulled from the water by privately-owned boats, but had been in the water for more than an hour. Health officials confirmed two had died.

The other three are in stable condition.

Officials will also be investigating what caused the vessel to sink, but RCMP say weather may have been a factor, as the waters off Bartlett Island were described as moderate to rough at the time of the sinking.

The post 2 dead after fishing boat sinks North of Tofino appeared first on My Campbell River Now.