Deep Water Recovery Still in Violation of Pollution Abatement Order
by Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound
Although the Province terminated Deep Water Recovery Ltd.’s (DWR) foreshore lease on July 3, 2025, the Pollution Abatement Order (PAO 112057) issued by the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks is still legally binding — and DWR continues to ignore it.
On August 11, 2025, the Ministry released a damning inspection report showing DWR is still in non-compliance with 10 critical environmental actions, including:
– Failing to build berms or install required drainage
– Not operating their water treatment system
– Continuing to discharge polluted water into Baynes Sound
“Discharges… have the potential to adversely affect the aquatic environment with potential for medium to medium-high adverse effects.”
“Effluent samples… have routinely exceeded BC Water Quality Guidelines for cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, and PCBs.”
And perhaps most disturbing — DWR continues to argue that their operations do not fall under BC’s industrial waste regulations.
In the July 17 Final Determination, the Ministry stated:
“The Appellant has maintained throughout that its operations are not prescribed industry activities. The Director has determined that the site is used for a prescribed industry.”
This refusal to acknowledge regulation is exactly why BC needs clear, enforceable shipbreaking regulations. Without them, polluters can delay accountability for years — at the expense of our oceans, marine life, and public trust.
Baynes Sound remains at risk, and DWR continues to operate as if rules don’t apply. We need action. We need enforcement. And we need real shipbreaking regulations now. Where is the Environment and Climate Change Fisheries and Oceans Canada Transport Canada in enforcement of the #FisheriesAct ? Canada MUST protect our marine environment and adopt international shipbreaking regulations.
Shipping companies must look after their aging fleets and ensure they are recycled in deep water, heavy industrial ports with full containment, drydocks and regulatory oversight. Self-regulation does not work!
