New Coastline Cleanup Projects Underway Across B.C.

Coastal communities and First Nations are busy with a new round of beach cleanup projects with new funding from the Province’s Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative.

“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.”

It partners with organizations to clean the province’s coastline. This year, eight projects were selected that are expected to clean more than 1,400 kilometres of shoreline and remove at least 70 derelict vessels, creating 630 new jobs in the process.

Recipients for this round include the Campbell River Association of Tour Operators. Recipients must complete projects from the current round of funding by the end of February.

Association vice-president Leigh Nelson says the initiative is an innovative plan to support the tourism sector, while preserving the natural beauty that brings people to B.C.

Recipients were awarded more than $10.5 million for projects that will focus on B.C.’s coastal communities.

The funding is part of a $25-million provincial investment into shoreline cleanup and derelict vessel removal projects announced in May 2023, bringing the total funding under the initiative to $49.8 million.

The Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative has ties to the Coastal Marine Strategy, which is being co-developed by coastal First Nations and Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

A second application window will open in early 2024 to distribute remaining funds.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.