Marine Stewardship
The Islands Trust Area waters provide critical feeding, rearing, and migratory habitat to a wide range of marine species. This is the most intensively used marine area in British Columbia and the exceptional biological richness of this region is at risk from numerous pressures.
The Islands Trust frequently advocates in favour of protecting the marine environment and good marine stewardship. Islands Trust’s recent work, including advocacy at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities 2010 Convention, is summarized in our October 5, 2010 News Release.
In September, 2010, Trust Council amended its strategic plan to make marine protection a priority within the advocacy program. Islands Trust is working with partner agencies to develop a comprehensive marine advocacy strategy.
Examples of our recent marine advocacy in 2010:
Plumper Sound
In May 2010, the Chair of the Islands Trust Council wrote a letter to convey community concerns to Golder and Associates regarding fast ferry testing in Plumper Sound BC. Update: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has now indicated it will not permit the project to proceed given its current design.
Years of complaints about gypsum dust clouds in Plumper Sound have finally been heard. In 2010, CSL International installed chutes to minimize dust on the two ships that deliver gypsum to barges in Plumper Sound.
In January 2010, the Chair of the Islands Trust Council wrote a letter to the Honourable John Baird, then federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities regarding freighter safety in Plumper Sound. In March 2010, Minister Baird responded and stated that his department would issue a strong advisory regarding the anchoring of vessels in the designated anchorages within Plumper Sound during winter months. The advisory was issued in June 2010.
Update: In January, 2011, two North Pender Island residents raised concern about the noise and light pollution created by vessels anchored in Plumper Sound. The Pacific Pilotage Authority and the Chamber of Shipping responded quickly with a memo to the masters of vessels using Plumper Sound anchorages. This memo requests that ships be good neighbours by minimizing noise and lights.
The Islands Trust has also raised concerns about the risks posed by car carriers as their height makes them vulnerable to high winds. Over the winter, Islands Trust staff will continue to monitor concerns about industrial activity in Plumper Sound. If you see car carriers or other shipping practices in Plumper Sound that concern you, please contact , Policy Analyst.
Marine Shipping Safety
In June 2010, Trust Council hosted a marine shipping safety information session which introduced trustees to the state of shipping in the region and warned of BC’s poor preparedness for oil spills. The information session agenda provides an overview of the presenters and topics. On December 16, 2010, the Islands Trust Chair and the San Juan County Council Chair wrote a joint letter to the Canadian and US federal governments to request that they begin discussions in 2011 to review comparability of their maritime safety standards, and develop compatible regulations on both sides of the border to provide the best oil spill protection possible for the Salish Sea.
Abandoned and derelict vessels
The Islands Trust worked with three other local governments and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) to develop a joint resolution on derelict and abandoned vessels, barges and docks, which was endorsed by the UBCM membership at the UBCM 2010 Convention. The same partners also organized a workshop on the issue at the UBCM 2010 Convention which focused on resolving the derelict vessel problem and possible changes to provincial and federal legislation and policy. Sheila Malcolmson, Chair of Islands Trust Council opened the session with a presentation that gave examples of stray barges and other vessels.
Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCA)
For the past six years, along with other local governments and allies such as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Georgia Strait Alliance, the Islands Trust has been writing to and meeting with elected and paid officials of the agencies responsible for negotiating area new Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCA). The Islands Trust put forward a resolution supporting the establishment of a NMCA to the UBCM 2010 Convention, which was endorsed by the UBCM membership.
Useful NMCA links:
General marine stewardship links:
Rockfish Conservation Areas:
United States Partner links:
Need More Information?
Director, Trust Area Services
(250) 405-5174
Mailing Address:
Islands Trust
200 - 1627 Fort St
Victoria, BC
V8R 1H8
Main: (250) 405-5151
Fax: (250) 405-5155
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