Our partners in the ongoing Campbell River Estuary Cleanup/Revitalization are numerous.
It began over 10 years ago when the Tyee Club of British Columbia was replacing their wharf, and noticed half a dozen tires on the bottom, partially submerged in the mud. These tires were used as bumpers/fenders preventing boats from contacting the wood and metal docks. A diver was sent down to remove the tires. When the day was done, over 50 tires had been pulled from the bottom, from a very small part of the Campbell River Estuary.
Those present realized that this was the beginning of something much bigger, with tires having been used on all adjacent wharves over many years.
Over a 10 year period the Tyee Club of B.C. and the Campbell River Salmon Foundation partnered to remove almost 1,000 tires from the Campbell River Estuary. If piled on top of each other, the would be higher than the tallest tower of the Golden Gate Bridge! In addition, two sunken vessels, metal cable, crab traps, rope, cell phones, batteries, bicycles, and old wharves for an estimated 40 tonnes of debris had been removed, recycled and relocated.
DiveSafe International, Pacificus Biological, CR Dragon Boaters, CARIHI Fly Fishing, A-Tlegay Fisheries Society and numerous individuals, all took part for a true community effort.
In February 2023, divers and ROV’s from A-Tlegay Fisheries Society conducted an underwater survey looking for more debris. Results showed very little remaining garbage, which allows eelgrass and natural bottom cover to flourish, providing a much better environment for our emerging salmon.
CRSF, in partnership with Greenways Land Trust continues to study and improve the Campbell River Estuary. Greenways and the Wei Wai Kum Guardians (with partial funding from CRSF) are removing logging debris and planting eelgrass in the “Mill Pond Project” which will continue through 2024.
Thank you to everyone who participated!