Re: “Plastic pollution a growing problem on our coasts,” comment, Oct. 29.
I would like to add some information to Peter Dietsch’s commentary about plastic pollution. Several organizations, including the B.C. Marine Trails Network Association, Living Oceans Society and the Surfriders, actively engage their own members to clean up the B.C. coastline.
In 2011. the Great East Japan Earthquake produced a tsunami that swept the coast of Japan of slews of debris, killing hundreds of people and devastating their coastline. Over the course of the next few years, this debris, combined with tonnes of other debris, began reaching the B.C. coastline, especially affecting the northwest coastline of Vancouver Island.
The Japanese government provided a million-dollar fund to help volunteer organizations clean the beaches. Most of the money was needed for barge transport or helicopter lifts to take away large tote bags, which were later recycled. In some cases, even kayakers towed some of the debris around.
This funding has dried up, and there is no evident source of funds from the provincial or federal governments. This debris will continue to wash onto the pristine shorelines.
Small associations supported by their membership will do what they can, but it’s not enough. Government needs to realize this or let the debris wash back into the ocean or stay littering the coastline.
Paul Grey, president
B.C. Marine Trails
