The goal of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is to protect British Columbia's wild spaces, and one local business is doing its part to help achieve CPAWS's goal to protect at least half of it.
According to CPAWS, one species in dire need of marine protection, once prolific in the waters of the Georgia Basin, is the rockfish. B.C. has about 35 species of rockfish and nine of those species now have "at risk" designations.
To support these creatures, Howe Sound Brewing Co. launched its second beer in its Ales for Change campaign called Rockfish Red, and the business is donating $1 from every beer to CPAWS "to help keep Canada wild."
"It is a way of giving to environmental and community endeavours, creating positive change while focusing on relevant local and environmental issues," said Leslie Fenn, co-owner of Howe Sound Brewing.
"Through the partnering with CPAWS-BC,our second beer, Rockfish Red, will help support marine conservation in Howe Sound and around B.C. - a vital connection in maintaining B.C.'s wild ecosystem."
"We never thought we'd be in the beer business," said Chloe O'Loughlin, CPAWS-BC executive director, adding that sampling the brew is definitely a perk.
"Our organization is in the business of protecting B.C. wilderness and oceans. We hope this wonderful Rockfish Red beer helps raise awareness of B.C.'s spectacular marine habitats, while raising direct dollars for important marine and terrestrial conservation.
"That money will help B.C. nature, including rockfish and numerous other marine species that depend on healthy oceans and intact underwater habitats."
Rockfish populations in Howe Sound and the Georgia Basin were historically harvested at high levels, depleting their numbers.Rockfish mature slowly and live up to 150 years, with only sporadic episodes of successful reproduction, making them especially vulnerable to overfishing.
Rockfish populations have been severely reduced by environmental degradation of their habitat near shore, and through pollution of marine waters.
Fenn said Howe Sound Brewing is committed to brewing special beers for environmental, sports and special causes. Their first Ales for Change beer was in honour of Canadian Armed Forces medic Andrew "Boomer" Eykelenboom, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in August 2006.
Boomer's Canadian Red Ale was a success and Fenn and O'Loughlin hope Rockfish Red will be just as popular.
The Rockfish Red has a slight citrus note and is brewed with Chinook, Cascade and Mount Hood hops with Munich, Caramalt, chocolate and roasted barley.
"This local ale is artisan brewed for the wild at heart and the protection of the wild in B.C.," Fenn said.
Rockfish Red Ale will be available over the next three to six months at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co. and in private liquor stores across southwestern B.C.
