Volume of trash shocks shoreline cleanup volunteers north of Tofino
NANAIMO — The amount of trash piling up on the shores of Vancouver Island’s west coast is blowing away the founder of a group of volunteers trying to preserve their coastal environment.
Josh Temple of Clayoquot Cleanup estimated 50 tonnes of marine debris would be scooped from Hesquiaht Harbour in northern Clayoquot Sound during a two-week effort. He said 40 tonnes of primarily plastics and fishing gear has already been retrieved halfway through the effort.
“We got there the first day and there were several people that literally broke down in tears when they saw how bad it actually was,” Temple told NanaimoNewsNOW. “You put your head down, you put your gloves on and you just start filling your sacks.”
Temple said the trash, from as far away as Japan, Asia and Russia, has devastating impacts on the marine environment and wildlife.