The Canadian government has yet to prohibit scrubber discharges. This delay is dangerous and sets a precedent to override serious and legitimate environmental and health concerns all along the coast of British Columbia. In those years, the uptake of scrubber technology in maritime vessels has surged. Between 2018 and 2022, the adoption of this technology increased at a staggering 14-fold annual rate. Toxic sludge is being discharged into fragile marine ecosystems every minute at the equivalent of one dump truck’s worth. This has led environmental groups and local governments to make urgent calls for immediate action.
In 2022 alone, vessels employing scrubbers discharged an estimated 88 million tonnes of acidic wastewater laced with toxic metals into coastal waters. That’s not surprising, given that cruise ships account for just 5 percent of the vessels employing these systems. Yet they account for almost half of all scrubber wastewater produced. These harmful discharges have an enormous toll on marine life. They have become serious hazards to human health and food safety.
As advocates are stepping up their efforts to thwart endangered species protections. They’re calling on the government to recognize the harm caused by the environmental impact scrubber discharges, particularly on the endangered 73 remaining southern resident orcas and chinook salmon. The federal government committed to review what’s allowed in marine conservation areas. There’s been so little progress in the interim.
Surge in Scrubber Technology Usage
The rise of a type of scrubber technology particular to maritime shipping, called “open-loop scrubbers,” have set off red flags for environmentalists. Taken altogether, the data show a historic turning point. From 2018 to 2022, the amount of vessels employing scrubbers increased by 14 times. This troubling trend comes at a dangerous time. These systems are supposed to clean exhaust gases, but they are frequently used to discharge highly polluted wastewater directly into the ocean.
In total, ships that employed scrubber technology released approximately 26,000 kilograms of various toxic metals along the British Columbia coast during this period. The repercussions of this pollution are severe, harming marine life and possibly even making their way into the human food chain.
“Canada’s reply provides unequivocal evidence that they know that there’s a problem, and it’s impacting southern resident killer whales.” – Barford
Environmental groups such as West Coast Environmental Law and Stand.earth have strongly advocated for a ban on scrubbers in national waters. Every step of the way, local government support has empowered their efforts. In 2022, the Union of BC Municipalities passed a resolution unanimously calling for cleaner fuel alternatives and stronger regulations on scrubber discharges.
Local and International Responses
Although Canada has so far failed to put a ban on scrubber discharges into effect, other places have moved beyond debate to bold action. California has passed legislation banning discharges from scrubbers into coastal waters and requiring vessels to use cleaner fuels. Denmark, Sweden, and Finland have already moved to ban scrubber systems. They started with a phased ban and are looking to phase out these systems by 2029. Over a dozen other European countries have likewise committed to ending the use of scrubbers in the northeast Atlantic as of next year.
The urgency of the situation has been realized by ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, which have banned such scrubber discharges outright. These new local measures are indicative of an increasing desire and consensus among municipalities that we must protect our precious marine environments from toxic pollution.
“We’re talking about ocean and ecosystem health, but we’re also talking about the food we’re eating.” – Hewson
Now, grassroots local communities and an international movers and shakers network are calling for cleaner shipping practices. Yet, the Canadian federal government is hardly moving into high gear. Environmental advocates say this hesitance threatens marine life and human health, as well as efforts to uphold healthy, sustainable fisheries.
Government Inaction Under Scrutiny
The Canadian government’s failure to take action on regulating scrubber discharges has recently been condemned by legal, environmental, and maritime organizations. Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has so far refused a request for an interview with Canada’s National Observer on this urgent matter. Advocates say federal inaction not only leaves the Gulf unprotected, but goes against the government’s proclaimed commitment to environmental stewardship.
While discussions are ongoing, civil society—including environmental groups—are calling for environmental governance to be immediately reformed to international standards. Citizens are growing more organized and advocating for a full scrubber ban. Their worries about the long-term effects of toxic releases are not misplaced.
“If simplicity is their goal, the easiest thing is just to put cleaner fuel in their tank.” – Barford
The environmental stakes are large as British Columbia faces the dangers of unregulated maritime pollution. The health of iconic species such as the southern resident orcas hangs in the balance, prompting organizations like Stand.earth to file formal complaints with regulatory bodies to bring attention to these issues.
