Shoreline projects tackling marine debris, abandoned boats

The following projects will receive funds from the Clean Coast, Clean Waters (CCCW) program:

Small Ship Tour Operators Association (SSTOA) - Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA)

The SSTOA is an association of tour boat operators that, responding to the downturn in tourism due to COVID-19, partnered with the WTA to turn their resources and skills to cleaning B.C.'s remote shorelines.

Last summer, the SSTOA undertook the biggest shoreline cleanup in B.C.'s history. This year's project will see the ships travel to the outer coast of the Great Bear Rainforest and partner with four Indigenous Nations to clean more than 400 kilometres of shoreline.

'Everyone in the SSTOA and WTA involved in the 2020 project were so proud of the contribution they were able to make with the marine debris removal initiative,' said Scott Benton, executive director, WTA. 'You saw the spark in people's eyes, not only because it provided employment in a really tough year, but because we got to actively protect our beautiful coast and make it better. We are grateful to the CCCW initiative to be able to go out and finish the job this year.'

Shoreline cleanup: $3.5 million

Coastal Restoration Society (CRS)

CRS supports resource management and environmental stewardship goals of First Nations, provincial and federal governments. Its services include marine-industrial project development and implementation, scientific monitoring and assessment, aquatic invasive species management and control, and climate change mitigation in the marine environment.

The CRS project will aim to address shoreline debris and derelict vessels on the west coast of Vancouver Island, partnering with 10 Indigenous Nations to clean 200 to 400 kilometres of shoreline and remove nine derelict vessels.

'On behalf of CRS and all of our partners, we are grateful for the funding to move forward on these timely and necessary projects to support the health of the shorelines and coastal livelihoods,' said Josh Temple, executive director, Coastal Restoration Society. 'We're excited to once again be working with host First Nation communities and know that these partnerships are at the heart of all successful projects.'

Shoreline cleanup: $2.1 million
Derelict vessels: $0.4 million

Songhees Development Corporation

The Songhees Nation is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen-speaking people. The Songhees Development Corporation promotes business ventures and income generation in alignment with the Nation's values and priorities.

The project will focus on removing 100 derelict vessels on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

'Songhees Nation is thrilled the Salish Sea Indigenous Marine Stewardship project has been funded. In collaboration with south island First Nations, our project will see 100 abandoned boats removed from the Salish Sea,' said Christina Clarke, CEO, Songhees Development Corporation. 'Our project recognizes Indigenous leadership in environmental stewardship, and our training program will contribute to Indigenous workforce development and long-term employment opportunities in the emerging 'blue economy.''

Derelict vessels: $2 million

Ocean Legacy Foundation

Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF) is a Canadian non-profit organization that develops and implements worldwide plastic pollution emergency response programs, with the goal to end oceanic plastic pollution. OLF combines sustainable technologies, education and skills training to convert plastic pollution into economic value, while providing local communities with the tools they need to prevent plastic pollution and protect their local environment. OLF is tackling plastic pollution using a solution-based platform called EPIC (education, policy, infrastructure and cleanup).

OLF's CCCW project will focus in Desolation Sound and the central Salish Sea, partnering with three Indigenous Nations to clean 200 to 400 kilometres of shoreline and provide up to 354 jobs.

'CCCW is a historical moment for our communities and environment not only in the Province of British Columbia, but has set a precedence for Canada,' said Chloé Dubois, co-founder and president, OLF. 'Ocean Legacy is thrilled and grateful to have this opportunity to work with communities to build economic opportunities to create cleaner oceans and provide innovative recycling opportunities for ocean plastics.'

Shoreline cleanup: $1.5 million

Total funding: $9.5 million

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