Clean Marine BC: a solution to recreational boater and boating facility impacts on the marine environment

Recreational vessels can have a significant impact on wildlife and the marine environment, through habitat disturbances, negative wildlife interactions, and as a source of pollution; sewage, bilge, and greywater discharges, fuel and hydrocarbons leaks, and toxic paints and maintenance products can all contribute to damaging our shared oceans. Fortunately there are many positive solutions available. This poster presentation will speak to the opportunities in preventing and mitigating multiple sources of pollution and disturbance from recreational boating and marinas in BC through the Clean Marine BC (CMBC) program, with a focus on creative solutions beyond those outlined in the Clean Marine BC Marina Best Practices Handbook and the Guide to Green Boating. Clean Marine BC is a voluntary eco-rating program that certifies marinas, yacht clubs, harbour authorities, and boatyards for environmental best practices. Green boating education and outreach is a significant component of CMBC. Georgia Strait Alliance (GSA), a solutions-oriented marine conservation organization, runs the program. GSA is a member of the Pacific Oil Spill Prevention and Education Team (POSPET), a trans-boundary initiative spanning the waters from Alaska to California. Our work focuses on the Strait of Georgia region, the portion of the Salish Sea north of the Canada-U.S border