Press Release: Ocean Legacy Foundation and Partners Participating in Clean Coast Clean Waters Initiative for the 2024-2025 Coastal Cleanup Season
Vancouver, BC (August 14, 2024) – The Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF) and its partners are proud to announce its participation in the 2024 Clean Coast Clean Waters Initiative (CCCWI). This initiative is part of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan to reduce pollution from plastic waste.
In partnership with several Indigenous Nations and environmental organizations, the OLF will be leading industrially-scaled cleanup across multiple remote and sensitive key locations, including:
– Forward Bay (West Cracroft Island) – Mamalilikulla First Nation
– Cape Scott & Klaskish Inlet – Subcontracted by Quatsino First Nation
– Howe Sound (Anvil Island, Gambier Island, Bowen Island, East and West Howe Sound, Squamish) – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) First Nation
– Sechelt Inlet – Shishalh First Nation
– Nelson Island (Derelict Aquaculture Site) – Shishalh and Tla’amin Nations
– Gibsons, Thormanby Island, Keats Island (In partnership with Blue Act) – Shishalh First Nation and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) First Nation
– Witty’s Lagoon, Ucluelet, Jericho Beach, Kitsilano, Third Beach, Spanish Banks, Clover Point/Dallas, Esquimalt Lagoon, North Chesterman, Mackenzie Beach, Songhees Park, Island View Beach, Lime Bay, English Bay, Selkirk Waterway/Gorge, Willows, French Beach, Cadboro Bay/Gyro Beach- In partnership with Surfrider Foundation Canada
The Ocean Legacy Foundation’s cleanup operations are expected to involve over 55 dedicated employees and crew members, alongside more than 900 volunteers from local communities, highlighting the collective commitment to environmental stewardship.
“Working with the Clean Coast Clean Waters funding makes the impossible possible.” said Abby McLennan, co-director of Field Infrastructure of Ocean Legacy. “We are determined to make a lasting impact on the health of our coastal ecosystems while collaboratively working alongside Indigenous partners, environmental organizations and local communities. This funding empowers us to continue our work to rid coastlines of plastic pollution while source separating material for reuse and recycling where possible.”
Additionally, organizations such as Small Ship Tour Operators, Maple Leaf Adventures, Blue Water Adventures, Surfrider Foundation Canada, Let’s Talk Trash, Rugged Coast Research Society, Coastal First Nations, Lax Kw’alaams, Ocean Aid, K’yuu, and Living Oceans Society will be conducting their cleanups and contacted the organization to transport their recovered materials to Ocean Legacy’s Plastic Pollution Emergency Response Facility in Steveston, BC for processing and recycling.
This coordinated effort underlines a shared responsibility towards protecting British Columbia’s stunning and ecologically vital coastlines. Ocean Legacy remains committed to its mission of reducing marine debris and restoring coastal habitats through its Education, Policy, Infrastructure and Cleanup programs.
Ocean Legacy’s operations will take place from July 26, 2024, to February 28, 2025, with active cleanup operations running from July 26 to October 5, 2024, followed by the end-of-life processing phase for certain projects from October 2024 to February 2025.
For more information about OLF, visit https://oceanlegacy.ca/. For more information about the Ghost Gear Fund, visit https://bccleancoast.ca.
About Ocean Legacy Foundation
Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF) develops and implements worldwide plastic pollution response programs, with the goal to end plastic pollution. OLF uses an integrated approach called EPIC which combines Education, Policy, Infrastructure Development, and Cleanup to create technologies, education, and skills training to convert plastic pollution into economic value while collaboratively building tailored tools with local communities to prevent and clean plastic pollution.
Media Contact:
Carina Ramirez
Outreach Coordinator
Ocean Legacy Foundation
carina@oceanlegacy.ca
+1 (236) 591-9973
oceanlegacy.ca