Coastal towns brace for tsunami debris surge

VANCOUVER — Tonnes of Japanese tsunami debris are expected to wash up along Pacific shores starting in earnest this year, and B.C.’s coastal communities are bracing for a barrage of garbage on their beaches.

“This is a huge issue,” said Ucluelet Mayor Bill Irving in advance of a Tuesday night public meeting.

“Our No. 1 concern is getting plastics out of the system as quick as possible so that they don’t affect the environment,” Irving said.

At the moment, he added, “I don’t think you can travel a metre without seeing at least three or four pieces of plastic or rope or bottle.”

Irving said the regional government is still trying to get provincial funding for recycling and debris transportation.

The March 11, 2011 magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Japan killed more than 21,000 people, triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and sent tonnes of debris spilling into the ocean.

Irving said the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned coastal B.C. communities to expect the first big increase in debris in April.

Karla Robison, Ucluelet’s manager of environmental and emergency services and a provincial and regional tsunami committee member, said she has been monitoring incoming debris for months.

In Ucluelet in November, she said: “There were so many pieces of Styrofoam and plastic bottles it was overwhelming. And then it dropped off again. I’m thinking it’s almost the calm before the storm.”