Presentation Abstract
Abandoned, wrecked and derelict vessels in the Salish Sea pose environmental contamination and safety risks. They are also visual eyesores. Untended vessels end up adrift, washed ashore, sunk, or broken apart, releasing fuel and other toxins into the marine environment. The debris and contaminants put marine life and sensitive habitats at risk, endanger mariners and beachgoers, cause harm to shoreline infrastructure, use valuable community resources, and impact the rights and traditions of indigenous peoples. The challenges are also compounded by conflicting jurisdictions between various levels of government dependent on the location, type and impact of the vessel, as well as barriers in recycling and disposing vessels that reach end of life, and limited funding. With aging fleets of commercial and recreational vessels in the Salish Sea, the number of abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels (ADVs) has been steadily increasing. With recent policy and legislation changes, derelict removal programs, and prevention measures at the federal, state, and provincial levels, we are turning the tide on problem vessels in the Salish Sea. Panelists from Washington State, PwC Canada, the Government of Canada, and Homalco First Nation give updates on their efforts and progress made in removing and preventing ADVs. A panelist from the Pacific States - BC Oil Spill Task Force will also present their ADV Blue Ribbon Report outlining a model program for success in addressing ADVs for West Coast states. The panel will be moderated by the Coordinator of Georgia Strait Alliance’s Clean Marine BC clean boating and marina eco-certification program. We also encourage SSEC delegates to bring their experiences to the panel discussion.
Session Title
Derelict Vessels (Panel)
Conference Track
SSE5: Southern Resident Killer Whales and Vessel Impacts
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-panels-234
Start Date
26-4-2022 1:30 PM
End Date
26-4-2022 3:00 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Shipwrecks--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Marine pollution--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Derelicts--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Marine ecosystem health
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Turning the Tide on Abandoned, Wrecked and Derelict Vessels in the Salish Sea
Abandoned, wrecked and derelict vessels in the Salish Sea pose environmental contamination and safety risks. They are also visual eyesores. Untended vessels end up adrift, washed ashore, sunk, or broken apart, releasing fuel and other toxins into the marine environment. The debris and contaminants put marine life and sensitive habitats at risk, endanger mariners and beachgoers, cause harm to shoreline infrastructure, use valuable community resources, and impact the rights and traditions of indigenous peoples. The challenges are also compounded by conflicting jurisdictions between various levels of government dependent on the location, type and impact of the vessel, as well as barriers in recycling and disposing vessels that reach end of life, and limited funding. With aging fleets of commercial and recreational vessels in the Salish Sea, the number of abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels (ADVs) has been steadily increasing. With recent policy and legislation changes, derelict removal programs, and prevention measures at the federal, state, and provincial levels, we are turning the tide on problem vessels in the Salish Sea. Panelists from Washington State, PwC Canada, the Government of Canada, and Homalco First Nation give updates on their efforts and progress made in removing and preventing ADVs. A panelist from the Pacific States - BC Oil Spill Task Force will also present their ADV Blue Ribbon Report outlining a model program for success in addressing ADVs for West Coast states. The panel will be moderated by the Coordinator of Georgia Strait Alliance’s Clean Marine BC clean boating and marina eco-certification program. We also encourage SSEC delegates to bring their experiences to the panel discussion.
