The BC government and Indigenous Nations, along with BC tourism operators, are teaming up to clean up marine debris along BC’s shorelines.
More than 1,000 kilometers of BC’s shorelines will be targeted in an effort to clean the beaches and water of marine debris and litter.
Three tourism operators will partner with Indigenous Nations to target more remote places such as Haida Gwaii and the Discovery Islands.
“As the MLA for this region and a long-time resident of a coastal BC community, I have seen first hand the problem of marine debris,” said MLA for North Coast, Jennifer Rice.
“Haida Gwaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s great news that this area will be one of the targets of the CCCW program, returning it to a pristine state.”
The province announced that $3.6 million from the Clean Coast, Clean Waters (CCW) initiative will be spearheaded between Misty Isles Economic Development Society, Spirit of the West Adventures, and the Campbell River Association of Tour Operators.
Both tourism operators, Spirit of the West Adventures and the Campbell River Association, have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the tourism industry.
“After a very tenuous year for tourism, we are very grateful to be able to offer this additional work to our staff including many local youth, as well as their community members and local businesses who will be assisting with the project,” said co-owner of Spirit of the West Adventures, Rick Snowdown.
As part of the provincial government’s CleanBC Plastics Action Plan, nearly $18 million has been invested into the CCCW initiative. So far, BC has spent $9.5 million for ecotourism operators and First Nations to comb the coast for ocean debris.
Canadian crews have been attempting to clean BC’s wildest shorelines for fishing nets, hauling lines, buoys and Styrofoam since the pandemic began.
Luckily, according to a report from The National Observer, 60% of marine debris found is being recycled.
So far, the CCCW has removed more than 550 tonnes of fishing gear, plastics and polystyrene foam from BC’s beaches, according to Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment.
This new investment is intended to create 240 jobs and is part of BC’s $10-billion COVID-19 response.
See also: Vessel designed to clean up ocean debris is departing from Victoria this month
