Port Alberni – New Democrat MLA Josie Osborne says new funding to the Coastal Restoration Society will help tackle shoreline clean-ups and derelict vessel removals along the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

“Keeping our coastline clean is a priority not only for those of us fortunate enough to live here, but for all British Columbians,” said MLA Osborne. “I’m thrilled to see another project coming to the West Coast of Vancouver Island that does just that, and that also provides jobs for our region that people can feel good about.”

The project, part of the Clear Coast, Clean Waters (CCCW) Initiative Fund will receive $2.55 million to clean 200-400km of shoreline on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and to remove nine derelict vessels.

The Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative responds directly to the strong public call to action on marine debris heard from coastal communities during a comprehensive consultation in summer 2019. The main concerns raised by local governments and individuals included abandoned vessels, mooring buoys, polystyrene foam, aquaculture debris and single-use plastics. Through this funding, up to 1,200 kilometres of B.C.’s coastlines will benefit from clean-up projects, removing more than 100 derelict vessels and creating nearly a thousand jobs by, and in partnership with, coastal Indigenous Nations this summer.

The CCCW initiative is an important part of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan and its goal to address plastic pollution. To date it has already cleaned up over 127 tonnes of debris – the largest marine cleanup in B.C. history. The initiative is also part of the New Democrat government’s $10 billion COVID response, which includes the StrongerBC for Everyone recovery plan — a plan that protects people’s health and livelihoods while supporting businesses and communities.

Learn More:

Shoreline projects tackling marine debris, abandoned boats

For more information on the fund: https://www.bccleancoast.ca

CleanBC Plastics Action Plan: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/plastics