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June 9, 2026
The past week has been one of community, education, and inspiration here at Prince of Whales. As Ocean Week Victoria wraps up and we celebrate World Ocean Day today, we are reflecting on just how important the ocean is, from supporting incredible wildlife to shaping the coastal experiences our guests enjoy every day on tour!
Why Ocean Week Matters
Ocean Week Victoria is an incredible annual initiative because it shifts ocean conservation from an abstract idea into a tangible local reality. Bringing together scientists, community groups, businesses, and residents to celebrate the importance of the waters in our own backyard. True conservation grows through education, understanding, and meaningful connection to the world around us.
To bridge that gap this year, we brought the classroom right to the water. Our incredible team of marine biologists and naturalists set up in the lower causeway of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Equipped with a fascinating educational specimen table graciously provided by the Royal BC Museum, our naturalists helped to answering burning questions, shared wildlife facts, and showcased the amazing biodiversity of the Salish Sea.
Our 2026 Contributions
Fostering a love for the ocean through education is the first step, but backing it up with financial muscle is how we drive systemic change. Through our dedicated Conservation Fund, we are incredibly proud to announce that we have invested $100,000 this year directly into frontline organizations safeguarding British Columbia’s waters.
Here is exactly where those funds are going:
$40,000 to the Pacific Salmon Foundation: Supporting critical herring and salmon conservation alongside vital marine habitat restoration across British Columbia.
$30,000 to Sea Smart: Supporting summer camps centered around ocean education with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
$20,000 to the Marine Education & Research Society (MERS): Funding life-saving marine mammal disentanglement programs and public whale safety education.
$10,000 to the Surfrider Foundation: Dedicated to keeping our beautiful local coastlines, beaches, and watersheds entirely plastic- and debris-free.
Honouring Our Oceans
Ocean Week Victoria and World Ocean Day are important reminders of the vital role the ocean plays in our lives. They give us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of marine conservation, and to recognize how deeply our communities and wildlife are connected to the sea.
At Prince of Whales, we are lucky to see these connections every day on the water, and these ocean awareness initiatives reinforce the importance of education, understanding, and connection in protecting our oceans for future generations. Together, we can help protect these ecosystems for future generations!
