Cleaning up B.C’s abandoned vessels and marine debris will take coast-wide co-operation to be effective, says a report released Feb. 5 by Sheila Malcolmson, parliamentary secretary for the environment.
Consultation participants who met with Malcolmson suggested that the province support development of ship-breaking and recycling businesses in coastal communities as well as improving plastic and battery recycling and garbage disposal options at small craft
Participants also suggested provincial funding for handling difficult-to-recycle materials and investigating new technologies and new end uses for these materials.
Suggestions for debris resulting from the fishing industry included securities to cover cleanup costs when aquaculture tenures are issued, a tax or deposit on aquaculture equipment, abandoned vessel fines and a surtax on marine fuel sold in Canada.
Participants also mooted the idea of a boat equivalent of B.C.’s vehicle ‘cash-for-clunker’ program so owners could dispose of unwanted vessels. Malcolmson said an estimated 1,400 boats litter B.C.’s shorelines.
Changing the way vessels are licensed was also proposed, as was dealing with debris at its source instead of when it becomes a marine issue.
“In order to get to the root of the problem of marine plastics and debris, several groups recommended phasing out the use of single-use plastics, increasing
To handle the environment, groups suggested greater governmental co-operation including federal agencies, provincial agencies, First Nations organizations, municipalities and regional districts.
“A few groups recommended that a first step should be the development of a
Malcolmson said the next step is to develop recommendations for
Heyman’s ministry has also been working on land-side plastic issues, Malcolmson said.
More than 50 governmental, community, First Nations and business organizations were involved in the consultations.
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