A major cleanup effort has removed several massive industrial tires that recently washed ashore near Campbell River.

Greenways Land Trust led the coordinated operation, and in total, eleven tires - each weighing about four tonnes and filled with Styrofoam - were pulled from the shoreline after posing serious pollution and wildlife hazards.

Tugboats towed the tires back to shore where they were lifted from the water for proper disposal.

Greenways Habitat Management Coordinator Camille Andrews says the cleanup wouldn’t have been possible without strong community collaboration. She says all of their partners stepped up to make the challenging work a success.

Greenways is now working with the City of Campbell River and Fisheries and Oceans Canada on a new marine debris response plan, so future incidents can be handled quickly and effectively.

The tires are believed to have broken loose from a dock or barge during a recent storm.

Members of the public are reminded to report any suspected environmental violations to the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277, or online at Government of British Columbia.