Large commercial ships anchoring in the waters of the Southern Gulf Islands and adjacent Vancouver Island coastlines are causing significant damage to the environment and creating a potential for a disaster.
COASTAL FIRST NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES ARE DEMANDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ELIMINATE THE 33 ANCHORAGES CURRENTLY BEING USED FOR AN “OVERFLOW PARKING LOT” BY THE PORT OF VANCOUVER.
These anchorages are unnecessary. The Port of Vancouver has appropriated an environmentally sensitive area instead of investing in technology that reduces ship congestion.
IMPACTS ON MARINE LIFE INCLUDING THE SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES: *
- Air pollution contributing to climate change and ocean acidification
- Anchor chain abrasion of seabed marine ecosystems
- Underwater noise that disrupts animal communication
- Excessive light pollution that disrupts undersea migration
- Water pollution
- Risks of impact collisions
IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH: *
- Constant noise pollution from ship generators
- Light pollution
- Air quality deterioration
- Water pollution that can enter marine food chains and human food
- Potential disasters caused by anchor drag, groundings, and collisions
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
* Details in our latest Fact Sheet
There are Solutions!
- The Port of Vancouver needs to develop a modern vessel arrival system as used at ports elsewhere.
- The Minister of Transport must demand that the Port of Vancouver require all weather grain loading technology as used at ports elsewhere so ships do not languish at anchor when it rains.
- The province must act in the public interest, and eliminate the anchorages—which are situated in a sensitive area protected by provincial law—and enforce protection of the seabed—which is owned by the province.
- Increase Port of Vancouver anchorage capacity.
- Improve Port of Vancouver Rules and Regulations regarding ship arrivals and departures.
- Optimize the supply chain.
- Discontinue the export of thermal coal.
- Eliminate Material Offloading anchorages.
We are the South Coast Ship Watch Alliance and we advocate for the elimination of the SGI Anchorages.
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