Home Election Tracker BC Provincial 2021 New BC special advisor on marine debris protection

New BC special advisor on marine debris protection

With a focus on derelict vessels and curbing the disposal of plastics in marine environments

plastic debris on beach
Plastic debris on a BC oceanfront beach [web photo]
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Saturday, April 13, 2019 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND

~ West Shore Voice News

Marine debris protection is getting a higher profile in the BC government, with a focus on derelict vessels as well as curbing the disposal of plastics in the marine environment.

On Friday April 12 it was announced that Premier John Horgan has appointed Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo, as minister’s special advisor to George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on marine debris protection.

Sheila Malcolmson, Premier John Horgan
Premier John Horgan has appointed new MLA Sheila Malcolmson as special advisor to the Environment Minister regarding marine debris protection. [web file photo January 2019]

“Derelict boats and discarded plastics pollute our waterways and put boater safety at risk. Sheila Malcolmson has worked with coastal communities to clean up marine debris and tackle the growing problem of marine plastics,” said Heyman.

“I’m pleased Premier Horgan has asked MLA Malcolmson to work with me to find solutions and help us protect the marine environment that is so valued by British Columbians,” said Minister Heyman in a news release.

“My ministry has begun planning measures to further reduce plastic waste and Ms. Malcolmson will play an important role in our work,” Heyman said.

With the October 2019 federal election fast approaching and within that the inevitable political debate over the Trans Mountain Pipeline and increased oil tanker traffic off the BC Coast that would result from a twinning of the pipeline, the new marine debris portfolio is timely.

George Heyman
George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Malcolmson will serve under the direction of Heyman and has the following responsibilities:

  • Make recommendations for a provincial action plan, in co-ordination with the federal government, to eliminate the environmental threats caused by derelict vessels including but not limited to:
  • building on existing work and partnerships, collaborate with the federal government on potential development of a boat-licensing program to aid enforcement of regulations for the management of derelict boats;
  • the feasibility of an environmental stewardship program to manage the end-of-life recycling of boats and marine infrastructure, as well as fibreglass and other elements of derelict boats;
  • the feasibility of a “cash for clunkers” program for derelict vessels or those at the end of their useful life; and
  • what lessons can be learned from the Washington state program for this problem.
  • Make recommendations for provincial action to curb the disposal of plastics in the marine environment.

Until now, it has been generally possible for people to just leave damaged or unwanted vessels behind in BC waters as well as across Canada.

The federal government has an abandonned boats program. In 2017 and 2018, the assessment of 10 abandoned boat projects in the Greater Victoria/Capital Regional District saw a total of $10,400 in federal funding. In those years, Ladysmith was the only Vancouver Island community to receive federal funds to remove abandoned boats ($62,400 to remove nine boats). The CRD received $50,100 in those years to create awareness about abandoned vessels.

In the CRD in 2018 to 2019, seven abandoned boats were assessed with a federal contribution of $16,175. In the CRD area, a total of 25 boats have been funded for removal in 2018-2019 — federal funding amounting to $458,950 went to Salish Sea Industrial Services to remove 24 boats, and the Township of Esquimalt received $5,625 to remove one boat.

derelict vessel, Sooke, Florence Filberg
Attempted removal of a derelict vessel in the Sooke Harbour Basin by setting it on fire, July 3, 2009 [MapleLine Magazine / West Shore Voice News photo by Mary P Brooke & Jennifer Brooke]

A high-profile incident of a derelict vessel elimination attempt occurred in July 2009 off the shores of Sooke. The Florence Filberg had been set ablaze on the evening of July 3, after sitting partially submerged in the harbour for a few years which was an eyesore for tourists and residents and meanwhile losing pieces of debris that floated away or fell to the ocean floor. The attempted destruction was a fiery spectacle easily seen from Highway 14 and around the region. [Archive article from MapleLine Magazine August-October 2009 issue available upon request]

With the annual Earth Day coming up on April 22, there are many debris clean-up efforts taking place around Vancouver Island, including on beaches, along highways, and in parks and residential areas.