The anchorages in English Bay and Burrard Inlet are inside the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. This area is designated for commercial and industrial use. It’s already been subjected to the adverse effects of heavy shipping activity for years and is accustomed to noise, lights, and other urban activity. It’s also surrounded by an infrastructure designed to manage and safeguard industrial activity.
On the other hand, the Southern Gulf Islands (SGI) are a recognized eco-tourism destination, designated for protection under the Provincial Islands Trust Act. Several of the SGI Anchorages are located right inside, or close to, the critical habitat of endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. The region is also slated to be a National Marine Conservation Area. This is not an appropriate place to anchor massive bulk freighters.
