Shoreline cleanup activities initiated by qathet Regional District (qRD) resulted in the removal of debris from approximately 70 kilometres of coastline in 2019.
At the February 13, qRD committee of the whole meeting, directors received the shoreline cleanup 2019 year-end report from Mike Wall, manager asset management and strategic initiatives, and the Let’s Talk Trash Team. The report outlined the 2019 shoreline cleanup in electoral areas A, B, C, D and E.
According to the staff report, since 2017, major shoreline cleanup events have taken place since funding was allocated to the process.
In 2019, cleanups occurred on Lasqueti Island, Texada Island, Savary Island, Hernando Island, Jedediah Island and Harwood Island, as well as along mainland Okeover and Malaspina Inlets.
In 2019, the six shoreline cleanup events in qRD collected a total of 407 cubic metres of marine debris. According to the report, this amount would fill 12 logging trucks. Of the total, 346 cubic metres, mainly Styrofoam floats and ghost fishing gear, was delivered to Ocean Legacy Foundation for recycling and repurposing.
Marine debris is a pervasive environmental problem, according to the report. Shorelines in qRD’s catchment area have drift collection beaches where marine debris gathers, as prevailing southeasterly winds push pollution ashore. The report stated that qRD has an estimated 720 kilometres of shoreline and in 2019, volunteers cleaned up about 70 kilometres of coastline, which amounts to nearly 10 per cent. The focus was on more easily accessible hotspots, focusing on locations that are more easily accessible.
“These volunteer efforts collect significant amounts of waste that is harmful to the environment and human health,” the report stated. “Residents of qRD have been enthusiastic to volunteer their time in removing marine debris off beaches, the coastline and out of the marine environment. Many have expressed concern about the origin of accumulated waste materials.”
At the Thursday, February 27, qRD board meeting, regional directors voted that the shoreline cleanup 2019 year-end report be forwarded to the province, as well as the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, to ensure neighbouring coastal local governments are aware of the work being done at the provincial level, and to share qRD’s data, experiences and concerns.
