Robert Lewis-Manning: Shipping on our Coastal Waters

Shipping on our Coastal Waters

Every year the Western Canada’s gateway generates over 21 billion dollars in economic activity.

Each year thousands of ships transit BC’s Coastal waterways bringing cargo in and taking it out. The new Oceans Protection Plan lays out a number of issues the Federal Government is requiring the shipping industry to meet.

Tougher regulations that require working with First Nations and Indigenous Communities to identify environmentally sensitive areas of cultural, social and economic importance. Stronger polluter pay principles, identification of safe refuge sites, 24 - 7 emergency response and the continued modernization of the ship pilot regime.

And then there is the impact of shipping on the Southern Resident Whale Population. Does the underwater noise generated by ships play a large role in preventing Orcas from identifying the location of the Chinook Salmon that is the staple of their diet?

The BC Chamber of Shipping and it’s members participated in the Port Metro ECHO program where ships reduced speed to 11 knots in Haro Strait in an effort to reduce ambient noise and better understand the relationship between speed, noise and the effects on killer whales.

Looming in the background is an increase in oil and LNG tanker traffic.

To discuss what the shipping industry is doing to meet these concerns, issues, and regulations we invited the President of the Chamber of Shipping,  Robert Lewis-Manning to join us for a Conversation That Matters about protecting our coastal waters.

Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue presents Conversations That Matter. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for an important and engaging Conversation about the issues shaping our future.

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