Al Harvey photo
www.suncruiser.ca I 2012 SunCruiser WEST COAST
Boaters
are Leaders! By Mike Richards, Georgia Strait Alliance
HAVING WORKED IN THE FIELD OF MARINE conservation for over 10 years, it seems to me that the folks who use our coastal waters the most are actually those who will be most directly affected by changes in this wondrous ecosystem. On a beautiful day, with the sun shining and the water calm, all looks well and the system seems pristine, especially if we are lucky enough to see a pod of orcas or spend time around the shorelines with its abundance of life. However chances are, those orcas are from an endangered pod and the shellfish around the shoreline is too contaminated to eat. We also know of depleted fish stocks, raised pollutant levels and warming water temperatures are affecting our coast. While the commercial boats
make their living on or from the water, it’s the recreational boating community that takes to our waters in huge numbers to fish, swim, explore and relax. It’s because we’re also out there that the recreational boating community has the opportunity to be stewards of our cruising waters. As our population grows and
the pressures on the Strait of Georgia and its adjoining waters increases, and the impacts of climate change become more apparent, it is imperative that we all do that we can to reduce our own impacts.
As boaters we are already leaders. Through Georgia Strait Alliance’s (GSA) Green Boating and Clean Marine BC programs, recreational boaters are looking after the waters we love so much. Many of us have also pledged to be a green boater through the GSA’s Stewards of the Strait program. As well, many boating organizations now have environmental officers in their ranks and many yacht club by-laws address environmental issues. It is increasingly urgent, however,
that we look beyond our own activities and examine all the issues facing the Strait of Georgia area. With a regional population of over 3 million people, everyone living here, especially boaters, should be concerned about the issues affecting our coastal waters. Increased marine traffic (including cruise
ships), municipal sewage, fish farms, declining fish stocks, energy projects, coastal development are all issues that will affect our cruising waters. For all of us in this region, they are also issues that will impact the water we drink, and/or the air we breathe. As we learn more about our
wonderful planet and our precious oceans, many more of us are realizing that we cannot rely on the common sense of governments and industry groups to look after our coastal waters. We must, as users and residents of this fantastic part of the world, be proactive to ensure that our waters and our coastline are sustained for ever. To find out how you can get involved, contact Georgia Strait Alliance at
www.GeorgiaStrait.org
Is your marina as GREEN as it can be? Join the move to CLEAN MARINE BC
A program of the Georgia Strait Alliance
www.GeorgiaStrait.org 250-753-3459
77
CLEAN MARINE BC
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108