OCEAN Pollution actions to take

Fair Sailing has received many inquiries about what productive actions can be taken by residents to address cruise tourism impacts in James Bay. Here is what we have learned:

·      Every voice counts! Our strength is in collective numbers.

·      All levels of government are aware of cruise tourism impacts and have taken some actions – but not enough! Add your voice to the collective chorus of concerned citizens.

·      Address your emails/letters to elected officials – they will refer your submission for response by staff who are working on the issue you are concerned about.

·      Many cruise tourism issues are cross jurisdictional and will require time and collaboration among various interest holders to resolve.

There are solutions! Our suggestions focus on what you can do NOW. We will update this information as we learn more.

 

PROBLEM: OCEAN POLLUTION

Cruise ships generate large amounts of ocean pollution, including blackwater (sewage), grey water (from sinks, showers, laundry), incinerator ash, oily bilge water, and ballast water.  By far the largest amount of pollution identified by West Coast Environmental Law is from scrubbers which are devices installed to remove exhaust gases such as sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide, as well as particulates, from the heavy bunker fuel that has traditionally been used as marine fuel. 

At least 47 countries and ports have introduced bans or restrictions on scrubber discharges, as well as five of Canada’s seventeen federal port authorities.  In British Columbia, the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert have banned scrubber wash water discharges while ships are at berth and at anchor.

See our FAQs on Ocean Pollution and Scrubbers for more information on the problem of cruise-caused ocean pollution.

OUR SOLUTION:

  • Use lowest sulphur fuels possible to reduce pollutants when entering port, maneuvering, and at berth  

  • Ban use of scrubber wash water discharges at Ogden Point and in the Port of Victoria immediately, and enforce compliance

  • Ban use of scrubbers in all Canadian waters

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

·      Ask the Minister of Transport Canada at Steven.MacKinnon@parl.gc.ca to ban scrubber wash water discharges and mandate the use of low sulphur marine gas oil in Canadian waters.

Background

Ocean Pollution largely falls under federal jurisdiction, with different responsibilities spread across several ministries.

Transport Canada (TC) is responsible for shipping and navigation under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, including supporting regulations and guidelines respecting the discharge of pollution from vessels. Section 14 of the federal Public Ports and Public Ports Facility Regulation state that “no person shall, by act or omission, do anything to be done in a public port or public port authority that has or is likely to have any of the following results: (f) to cause a nuisance; (h) to adversely affect sediment, soil, air or water quality. TC recently released the results of a national survey on scrubber wash water discharges.

They concluded that more consultation is required.

Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) does not have direct regulatory authority pertaining to the cruise industry. However, DFO’s Act, Subsection 36(3) - also known as the general prohibition – prohibits the deposit of any deleterious substances in water frequented by fish. DFO has been asked to investigate whether scrubber wash discharges could be a deleterious substance.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) monitors and enforces the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act. ECCC has conducted many investigations, including the impact of scrubber wash water discharges from cruise ships.

The federal ministries with jurisdiction related to ocean pollution are aware of and working on issues related to ocean pollution by ships, including cruise ships. However, not enough is being done in a timely manner.

See our FAQs on Ocean Pollution and Scrubbers for more information on the problem of cruise-caused ocean pollution.