The hundreds of marinas across BC should be pristine places where people can relax and enjoy their pastime, yet some of these boatyards have devastating effects on BC’s environment.  From slick oil contaminating the water to flotsam and jetsam littering the shorelines, the chemicals and waste generated by marinas damage BC’s air, water, fisheries, and wildlife. In February 2006, with a determination to address the marinas’ footprint, the Georgia Strait Alliance developed Clean Marine BC. Modeled after a similar program in Ontario, the voluntary certification program empowers marina owners and operators to protect our province’s marine environment and ensure that BC’s waters remain the cleanest in the world.

Clean Marine BC offers guidance for marina owners and operators that choose to implement environmental best practices in their boatyards. Once a marina has passed an audit conducted by independent auditors, it receives public recognition and insurance discounts. Meeting the Clean Marine BC standard is not only the right thing to do but is proving to be profitable for certified marinas.  In a survey conducted by the Georgia Strait Alliance 86% of boaters said they would choose a marina that adheres to best environmental practices, even if they had to pay more. David Messier, the general manager of Maple Bay Marina, has found the program lucrative for his float home community, stating “It’s good business for us…and it has a lot of resonance with our customers.” Maple Bay Marina has undertaken many environmental improvements including a $2.5 million sewage treatment plant; a closed-loop boat maintenance yard; a full hazardous waste recycling program; and a glass bottle-recycling program. Maple Bay Marina will also be installing a new boat and pump-out station in the spring of 2010. As environmental practices and regulations change and marina operators feel the pressure from boaters, Clean Marine BC is providing the essential tools for marinas to be progressive as the times change.

Beyond attracting boaters to their marinas, the Clean Marine BC certification positively impacts marinas’ bottom line. Eliminating floating debris and reducing the release of chemicals and nutrients that make the water cloudy are integral steps to appreciating a marina’s property value. As well, marinas benefit from lower clean-up and liabilities costs and avoid large fines.  “I just think if you do it now, it’ll be easier down the road,” said Terry McPhail, president of Shelter Island Marina and Boatyard. “You feel good about yourself, too. We own all the land here as well, so there’s an added benefit of keeping everything clean.” While environmental improvements can be capital intensive, marina owners are realizing that it provides a positive return. Clean Marine BC is instrumental in making these environmental practices the norm and assisting individual marinas do achieve eco-rated status.

With a goal of certifying 80% of marinas in BC by 2015, Clean Marine BC is well on its way with eleven of BC’s marinas participating in the program. “It’s a little bit of a work-in-progress,” said Mike Loy, assistant harbor manager for False Creek Harbor Authority. “But getting into the environmental practices and regulations is where the world is going. We have to be conscious about protecting our waters. Things are changing.” With the Georgia Strait Alliance at the forefront of restoring and protecting the marine environment and promoting sustainability, it is helping us take care of the area where most British Columbians live, work, and play.

In 2007 the Real Estate Foundation granted the Georgia Strait Alliance $10,000 to develop the initial Clean Marine BC pilot project. The Foundation supported the project for its potential to educate marina owners, managers, and boaters about the harmful impact of land-based pollution on the marine environment and show them how to be more responsible stewards.

To visit Clean Marine BC’s website [click here].
To view Clean Marine BC’s brochure [click here].

Story by Elysha Ames