New Coastline Cleanup Projects Underway Across B.C.

Federal money will be going toward a half dozen projects in BC to help protect coastal aquatic ecosystems.

“Derelict vessels, plastics and ocean debris do not belong on our beaches or coastline. With the help of Clean Coast, Clean Waters projects, we have made significant progress towards the protection and restoration of our marine ecosystems by keeping these items off our beaches and food chain,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

“These projects also highlight the importance of First Nations' stewardship in safeguarding the natural beauty we enjoy.”

They’ve announced more than $12 million for six projects in BC - including in the Comox Valley – from the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund.

This fund supports projects to conserve and restore our aquatic ecosystems by addressing threats in these environments.

More than $1.5 million is being spent over the next four years for the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society to work with partners to restore and enhance nearshore marine ecosystems along the east coast of Vancouver Island, including tidal marshes, eelgrass beds and kelp forests, critical rearing habitat and migratory corridors for Pacific salmonids.

$5 million will be funneled into Nature Trust British Columbia to work with partners to enhance climate change resilience by restoring critical habitats in the Salish Sea and North Vancouver Island.

As part of the Oceans Protection Plan, the fund supports projects to identify coastal and inland restoration priorities, develop and implement aquatic restoration plans, and stimulate partnership with Indigenous Peoples, conservation groups, and academia to address threats to Canadian aquatic species and habitats.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.