By Hope Lompe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder, Gabriola Sounder Abandoned boats in the waters surrounding Gabriola, Nanaimo and Ladysmith is a long-standing issue multiple terms of federal MP’s have attempted to get on top of. Vessels left in the water pose a significant risk to the surrounding marine environment, including water contamination caused by fuels, oils and greases, anti-fouling paints and toxic materials found on boats, reads a 2020 report by Sheila Malcomson, MLA for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island. In the “What We Heard” report, survey participants described the low value of older boats combined with the high cost of proper disposal and lack of disposal options, resulting in older boats being sold for a low price or abandoned when they become too costly to maintain. Tamara Kronis, MP for…
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