Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue:

Now on to today’s briefing.

-Emily, [email protected]

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A Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) ocean observatory in Baynes Sound has been upgraded to better track the changing conditions threatening British Columbia's shellfish industry. ONC, which is based at UVic, recently converted the observatory from a static platform to a profiling system that collects data throughout the full water column — a significant improvement over the previous setup, which monitored at fixed depths only.

Baynes Sound, located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, is B.C.'s largest shellfish aquaculture zone. Shellfish are increasingly vulnerable to ocean acidification, warming temperatures, and low-oxygen conditions — all of which can affect growth and survival. The observatory has been collecting data on these parameters since 2019, providing early warning of shifts that growers and managers can use to adapt.

The upgraded system will now track dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature, and pH throughout the full water column — information that is valuable not just for science, but for day-to-day shellfish farming operations, where temperature regulations govern when and how harvests can take place.

The upgrade was made possible through the Climate Ready BC Seafood program, a joint initiative of the Tula Foundation and the Province of British Columbia. The programme is part of a broader effort to advance understanding of ocean acidification and hypoxia in the Northeast Pacific, in support of B.C.'s Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Action Plan — a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed initiative.

🪸 Under the sea: COAST highlighted a $2.5 million provincial commitment partnering with 23 First Nations and organizations on coastal marine projects spanning habitat restoration, pollution cleanup, and Indigenous-led stewardship across B.C.

🎓 We are the champions: UVic ranked 4th in Canada for research citations per faculty in the latest QS World University Rankings, scoring more than three times the global median.

🌊 We will rise: The South Island Prosperity Partnership released its 2025-2026 Impact Report, detailing how the region turned economic disruption into a five-year plan called Rising Economy 2030.

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

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On September 27, the Under Armour Eastside 10K returns—and the PHS Run Team is ready to make every step count. This isn’t just a race; it’s a chance to support PHS's crucial Food Program, which deliver thousands of meals each day to people facing homelessness and poverty.

Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, joining the PHS team means becoming part of something powerful. Set a goal, invite friends, and help PHS reach its fundraising goal of $30,000 to expand a life-changing food program.

Can’t participate? Your donation still fuels hope. Help PHS ensure no one is left behind—one kilometre, one meal, one life at a time.

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June 29 | Vital Data Mini-Con 2026

Health data has never been more important, but it’s also more fragmented than ever. Across the country, valuable data is often locked away in separate systems that don’t communicate effectively, if at all. At the same time, there is growing pressure to actually make use of this data—especially with the rapid development of new AI tools.

July 9 | VIATEC Summer Social at the HarbourCats

Trade the laptop for a ballpark hot dog. On Thursday, July 9th, VIATEC takes over the Canadian Club House at Royal Athletic Park for an evening of baseball, cold drinks, and the tech community under the summer sky. The Victoria HarbourCats are hosting the Bend Elks, and you've got one of the best seats in the park.

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