While the new baby beluga is thriving at the Vancouver Aquarium, it's a different story for B.C.'s wild marine life, where climate change, over fishing and politics are being blamed for widespread declines in fish stocks and the overall health of the ocean.
Frank Keith has been fishing B.C. waters for more than 30 years, and says over fishing has caused a crisis.
"It was definitely like the Wild West in those days and even though it was managed by the Department of Fisheries, there were thousands of boats out there and it just seemed like kind of a free for all."
But that free for all and other factors have pushed B.C. waters into crisis. The killer whale population in southern B.C. dropped 20 per cent in the 1990's to just 90 animals.
There have been similar declines for salmon and other iconic west coast marine life, according to Jennifer Lash of the Living Oceans Society.
"All we can do is manage our behavior," she said.
Lash and the Living Oceans Society are preparing for a two week expedition to find deep sea coral off the north coast. It's hoped what they learn will protect the coral and help all species in the food chain.
"It is really our collective responsibility to figure out what is our vision for the ocean in British Columbia and what are we going to do to make sure it's cared for," she said.
Lash hopes measures will be taken to help all endangered creatures so that all British Columbians can enjoy the benefits of a healthy ocean before it's too late.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart
