Old fishing boats, a relic of a bygone era, are becoming a growing concern for coastal communities. With the federal and provincial programs that once funded their removal no longer in place, the question remains: what are we going to do with these aging vessels?
The Abandoned Boats Program, launched in 2017 with an initial investment of $6.4 million, has been discontinued. This program, which disposed of 223 abandoned and wrecked vessels in Canadian waters, is no longer an option for communities like Tofino, B.C. The Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative, which funded the removal of 65 vessels in the region, has also been shut down.
The lack of funding has left communities struggling to find solutions. Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels Removal Program, which has removed 259 vessels since its inception, is limited in scope and budget. It is only available for vessels located on DFO small craft harbour property and has an annual budget of $250,000.
This is a significant issue, as the removal and disposal of vessels can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. In the previous fiscal year, the program secured additional funding to remove 40 vessels, but this is a drop in the ocean compared to the number of abandoned boats in the region.
The environmental impacts of these vessels are also a cause for concern. Wrecked and abandoned vessels can leach fuel and toxins into the marine environment, poisoning clam and oyster beds and damaging Pacific salmon stocks. This is a serious issue for First Nations communities, who rely on traditional food harvesting.
The national inventory of wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous vessels lists 935 entries in British Columbia, with 175 classified as fishing vessels. This is a significant number, and the lack of a plan for these aging boats is a growing problem.
The solution to this issue is complex. Boat owners tend to give away old boats for free or for $1 to avoid paying for proper disposal, which is a significant barrier to removing these vessels. The Government of Canada's Wrecked, Abandoned, and Hazardous Vessels Act, which imposes penalties for irresponsible management, is a step in the right direction.
However, more needs to be done. The Clean Coasts Act, introduced in 2025, attempts to amend the Act by prohibiting the transfer of vessels to people who cannot safely maintain or dispose of them. This is a positive step, but it is not enough. A vessel removal program that funds itself is necessary to address this growing issue.
In conclusion, the lack of funding for the removal of abandoned fishing boats is a significant problem for coastal communities. The environmental impacts of these vessels are a serious concern, and the lack of a plan for their disposal is a growing issue. A vessel removal program that funds itself is necessary to address this problem and ensure the safety and health of the marine environment.
