Under the waters of Oak Bay off Beach Drive thrives a hotbed of sea life and trash.

People work, live and play both on and in the ocean there. That leaves an impact.

The resiliency of the ecosystem beneath these particular waves amazes and surprises Susan Anthony.

Through her work with SeaChange Marine Conservation Society, the field biologist has seen some pretty sights, and some hearty systems challenged by the impacts of humans B次元官网网址� even if unintentional.

B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 help that weB次元官网网址檙e impacting everything,B次元官网网址� Anthony said.

READ ALSO:

Most recently, that work included underwater scans of Oak Bay B次元官网网址� the body of water between Cattle Point and the marina B次元官网网址� followed by a marine debris cleanup.

B次元官网网址淚 was in awe of the life I saw in videos in Oak Bay,B次元官网网址� Anthony said, praising the resiliency of nature there. B次元官网网址淏ut the prognosis? IB次元官网网址檓 hopeful, but we really need to make a few changes.B次元官网网址�

The scans found more trash than anticipated, so they focused on a portion of the waterway for the cleanup. SeaChange collaborated with divers to pulled trash from the bottom for a few days this week, expecting to wrap Wednesday (Feb. 7).

Much of the detritus was as expected for an area frequently filled with parked boats.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of leftover mooring blocks and ropes,B次元官网网址� Anthony said. Not all the rope is attached to a standard mooring block, there was at least one radiator.

READ ALSO:

And a toilet. That oneB次元官网网址檚 more unusual, she said, but might not have been used to anchor a boat.

Boat motors and clothing are common, with towels and T-shirts highlighting the accidental items that become marine debris.

B次元官网网址淏ut it is still damaging no matter the intentions,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hat we find is most people want to act in the best way, itB次元官网网址檚 just knowing what that is.B次元官网网址�

With a project that could likely continue endlessly B次元官网网址� and other projects to get to B次元官网网址� the team felt it could make an impact pulling a full dumpster of debris.

B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 just remove the trash. Take a step. WeB次元官网网址檙e not going to save all our problems from one boat but we can take a step in the right direction,B次元官网网址� she said.

It also afforded an opportunity to talk to local boaters about best practices and connect with other Oak Bay organizations working on watershed issues which all funnel to the Salish Sea at some point.

Estuaries and bays face assaults from all over based on the nature of where they are, whether itB次元官网网址檚 crab traps or watershed issues. B次元官网网址淪o whatB次元官网网址檚 happening in Oak Bay can be sourced sometimes not in the debrisB次元官网网址� but way further inland,B次元官网网址� Anthony said.

The SeaChange team also connected with local groups already tackling those subjects, such as the Friends of Bowker Creek. B次元官网网址淭hrough them one piece of the puzzle will be helped and weB次元官网网址檝e all got to pitch in and help.B次元官网网址�

There is keen interest in the general population in the ocean in general as a food source, a return to traditional harvesting practices and natural recreation.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more than just wanting a pretty place that looks nice.B次元官网网址�

Anyone looking to support the work can find the society online at , connect on social media @seachangemarine or email connect@seachangesociety.com.

READ ALSO: