OUR VOICES ARE GROWING IN NUMBERS—We are pleased to announce that another new group of concerned citizens is joining us in our efforts to end the use of commercial freighter anchorages in the Southern Gulf Island waters: DeCourcy Anchorage Watch.
DeCourcy Island stands as one of the most popular destination water-access islands in the Southern Gulf, located approximately 16 kilometres southeast of Nanaimo and 38 kilometres southwest of Vancouver. It is home to Pirates Cove Marine Park, the first protected marine park in British Columbia, where unusual sandstone rock formations grace the shoreline. The presence of several middens in the park speaks to the rich history of First Nations use of the land, dating back over 3,000 years, with the largest shell refuse heap forming the foundation of the current campground. Surrounded by a pristine natural environment, DeCourcy offers a tranquil refuge where islanders engage in fishing and prawn harvesting from the local bounty, all while embodying a deep commitment to land and environmental stewardship woven into their constitution and culture.
DeCourcy’s eastern shoreline and its residents have been directly impacted by two anchorages; Trincomali #8 and Trincomali #9, which lie in the very narrow part of Pylades Channel—only .9 nautical miles wide. This body of water is also a Rockfish Conservation Area and a travel path for marine mammals, including Orca and Humpback whales. The continual light and noise pollution from these freighters have dramatically impacted the quality of life of islanders, and there is a deep concern for the degradation of the ocean floor from dragging anchor chain.
Boaters anchoring in Pirates Cove Marine Park, once considered to be a top destination, no longer have a peaceful, quiet experience.
Repeated interactions with the Port of Vancouver have not had any lasting improvements. The recent fire aboard a freighter in anchorage Trincomali #9 highlighted the lack of transparency and responsiveness from the Port Authority to the community, demonstrating a concerning gap with between the Ports effectiveness and the safety of our fragile ecology. DeCourcy Anchorage Watch stands in solidarity with our neighbouring communities and supports the ongoing efforts of the South Coast Ship Watch Alliance (SCSWA) in their campaign to protect our marine environment and our land from the impacts of an industrial parking lot for freighter anchorages. We hope that, alongside the SCSWA, our collective voices will be heard, allowing future generations to enjoy this remarkable natural environment.
