A group of volunteers ventured out on August 3 to clean up beaches on two local islands.
According to Let’s Talk Trash environmental consultant Abby McLennan, the participants had a great day, with 11 community volunteers able to join the effort.
“We cleaned a small bay on Ahgykson and a small rocky outcrop on Texada,” stated McLennan, in an email to the Peak. “Our efforts were blessed with a couple humpback whale sightings that included some tail flukes, which received a cheer from our boat.
“This cleanup effort was made possible through qathet Regional District's coastal shoreline cleanup fund. Although small, this fund is extremely important. It enables continuous, annual volunteer cleanup efforts by covering transportation and disposal costs. Although large provincial funding is imperative to really tackle the pollution on our coast, small, local funds such as this make an impact, especially when provincial funding ceases or pauses, such as we're experiencing this year for shoreline cleanup efforts.”
McLennan stated that some new recruits were able join the cleanup who weren't new to shoreline cleanups, but were new to vessel-assist cleanup efforts and the local marine recycling system.
“We collected a lot of marine rope, flotation styrofoam and a mix of hard plastic,” stated McLennan. “One of our most unique finds was a couple vertebrates from either a seal or sea lion. Debris-wise, there was nothing too surprising, but there does seem to be too many shoes, tennis balls and lighters still being found.”
McLennan suggested that bringing a bag to collect debris while visiting a beach, lake or hike in the forest is always a great idea. For more information about the ocean plastic depot located at the resource recovery centre, contact [email protected].
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