Rugged Coast restoration projects are key to helping lessen the impacts on remote marine habitats.
Marine debris clean up efforts are informed by our, and others, research and knowledge of remote, high accumulation areas along BC’s west coast. We have the skills and knowledge needed to access these habitats, collect/remove debris and play a vital role in ensuring these locations remain Debris Free.
Remove macro plastic debris from priority locations.
Development of a long term plastic removal strategy for priority areas. The Rugged Coast Research Society will partner with other non-government organizations and Indigenous groups to implement plastic removal projects where and when necessary.
Inform the public on the state of BC coast and the debris that is found.
Fall 2020 we will be continuing restoration efforts along our coast by cleaning 5 islands, with 2 clean ups per island, for a total of 10 areas being cleaned.
In the summer of 2019 RCRS, BC Marine Trails and Seize Change conducted a marine debris (fishing gear, plastic, styrofoam etc) removal project along the southern shores of Brooks Peninsula ecological reserve resulting in the removal of 25 Super Sacs (1 sac =5 Meters Cubed) of plastic and foam. Unfortunately, time and funds were not available to clean all of the beaches on South Brooks Peninsula and additional cleaning will occur in June of 2020.
In October 2019 Rugged Coast partnered with Parley for the Ocean and local Tofino surf athletes to clean Vargas Island and bring awareness to plastics in our ocean and environmental impacts it presents.
In May 2019 Rugged Coast partnered with Seize Change and Drip Coffee Social to remove marine debris from New Castle Island and Departure Bay in Nanaimo BC.
Locate and remove lost fishing gear that pose a risk to marine life through entanglement.
