A new series of videos brings to life the paramount importance of establishing a code of conduct to protect B.C.'s coastline.
The videos and code launched this month add updated information to the original Marine Trails Code of Conduct.
The code was developed to ensure the minimization of negative impacts on the B.C.'s coastline," said Sam Cutcliffe, communications and stewardship coordinator for BC Marine Trails.
In response to the unique environmental challenges of recreating along the province's coastline, BC Marine Trails, in collaboration with dedicated researchers, spent four years developing the groundbreaking Marine Trails Code of Conduct, released in 2018, Cutcliffe said.
"The code and videos launched this month is (more) specific to B.C.'s coast," he said.
The code, which went through a thorough professional peer review is specifically designed to mitigate the environmental impact of marine recreation, and provides tailored guidelines that go beyond general strategies such as Leave No Trace, Cutcliffe noted.
The seven tenets of the code include campfire management, respectful First Nations territory visitation, human waste management, footprint reduction, grey water management, minimizing wildlife disturbance, and preserving the natural state of the coast.
In addition to these individual tenet videos, two summary videos have been produced to provide a comprehensive overview that is invaluable viewing for anyone recreating on the B.C. coast, including paddlers, hikers, and small boaters, Cutcliffe said.
"By following the guidelines laid out in the code of conduct, recreational users can help reduce environmental degradation, preserving the coast’s natural beauty and ecological health for future generations," he said. "It's more than just a set of guidelines, it is a commitment to stewardship and respectful engagement with B.C.’s coastal environments and the First Nations that have cared for these lands for millennia."
The BC Marine Trails Network is a non-profit and charitable organization working to help secure long-term public access to the B.C. coast.
The organization's mission is to work with First Nations and stakeholders to build, protect, and promote a public network of marine trails that enables recreational navigation of the B.C. coastline with minimal impact on the environment.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm7GpTaxqIQ and https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/code-of-conduct/ for more information.
For more on BCMT, visit https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/.
