Powell River – New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons says new funding to the Ocean Legacy Foundation will help tackle shoreline clean-ups in Desolation Sound and along the Salish Sea.

“A clean coastline benefits everyone who lives, works and plays on the Salish Sea as well as the animals and plants that depend on it. I’m so glad to see the Clean Coast Clean Waters initiative continuing for another year. This brings significant employment opportunities for our local communities, and it’s work that people can feel proud of.”

The project, part of the Clear Coast, Clean Waters (CCCW) Initiative Fund will receive $1.46 million to clean 200-400km of shoreline in Desolation Sound and along parts of the Salish Sea.

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