Thank you for completing the Clean Boater Survey!
We appreciate you taking the time to complete our clean boater survey and the initiative to implement and learn more about clean boating practices.
You have been entered for a chance to win 2 seats to our annual “From Oysters to Orcas” fundraising event. On February 26th, guests will enjoy a casual evening of mingling with other supporters of a sustainable Salish Sea while sampling an incredible array of the freshest local seafood at Fanny Bay Oyster Bar, Vancouver’s only tide-to-table oyster bar. You’ll also have the opportunity to hear from special guest speakers!
Learn more about this initiative and how your participation helps us better understand recreational boating in the Salish: Boater Survey Results | 2024
Here are the correct answers to the 2025 survey questions
5. What flag is this?
- Whale Warning Flag (correct answer)
- Whale watching tour in progress flag
- Whale research vessel flag
- I don’t know
Answer:
This is the Whale Warning Flag, and warns boaters that they should slow down and proceed with caution. All boaters can use this flag to notify other boaters that whales are near and to slow down, change course, and proceed with caution.
6. How far are boaters legally required to keep away from:
a. Southern Resident Orcas in southern BC coastal waters?
- 100 meters
- 200 meters
- 400 meters (correct answer)
- 500 meters
- There is no legal distance to keep away from marine mammals
- I don’t know
Answer:
It is the law to keep 400 metres away from all orcas
This law (with some exceptions) includes southern BC coastal waters from Campbell River to Ucluelet year-round. It is also mandatory to be 200 metres away from all orcas in all other areas of Canadian Pacific waters all year-round. Find more information on orca regulations here.
b. All whale species (except orcas), as well as dolphins, and porpoises in BC?
- 100 meters (correct answer)
- 200 meters
- 400 meters
- 500 meters
- There is no legal distance to keep away from marine mammals
- I don’t know
Answer:
The legal distance to keep is 100 metres away from whales, dolphins and porpoises. Orcas have separate distance regulations.
c. All whale species (except orcas), as well as dolphins, and porpoises at rest or with calf in BC?
- 100 meters
- 200 meters (correct answer)
- 400 meters
- 500 meters
- There is no legal distance to keep away from marine mammals at rest or with calf
- I don’t know
Answer:
The legal distance to keep is 200 metres away from whales, dolphins and porpoises whales, dolphins, and porpoises at rest or with calf.
7. What size of spills into the ocean need to be reported?
- Spills of a barrel or more must be reported
- Spills of a litre or more must be reported
- All spills must be reported regardless of size (correct answer)
- No spills need to be reported
- I don’t know
Answer:
It is the law to report all spills regardless of size. Even tiny amounts of gas, diesel and oil can kill or harm marine plants and animals, and repeated small fuel spills cause irreparable harm to the environment.
8. Do you know who to call when a spill occurs?
- 9-1-1
- 1-800-OILS-911 and Canada Coast Guard (correct answer)
- No one, spills do not need to be reported
- I don’t know
Answer:
- Call 911 in an emergency, where people or property are at risk.
- Marine spills of any size must be reported to the Canada Coast Guard on VHF radio channel 16 or 1-800-889-8852.
- Also report to 1-800-OILS-911 in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California and to marina staff if you are at a marina.
- Never try to contain gasoline spills!
9. The use of soap to disperse a spill in the water is:
- Legal
- Illegal (correct answer)
- I don’t know
Answer:
It is ILLEGAL to use soaps to disperse fuel spills, as it is toxic to marine life, doesn’t eliminate the spill, makes it impossible to clean up the spill. It is required you report the spill and try to contain it.
10. Do you know why it is important to Clean Drain and Dry your boat when moving to a new location?
- To prevent fuel spills
- To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (correct answer)
- To keep the hull clean
- I don’t know
Answer:
To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. As of May 2024, the law is to pull the plug when transporting vessels from water bodies. Aquatic invasive species can be spread by hitching a ride on boat hulls, ropes, anchors, buoys, trailers, and fishing gear. Some are microscopic and can be transported in water (in a boat’s ballasts, bilges, and wells and any other places that contain water). Transport of invasive species is illegal. This is why it is important to clean, drain and dry a boat, trailer and equipment when relocating.
It is the law for boaters to stop at boat inspection stations, even for canoes, kayaks and other human-powered vessels.
Invasive species can be reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by calling 1-888-933-3722, or thru the Report Invasives BC app available for download at www.gov.bc.ca/invasive-species.
11. Is it illegal to dump a sewage holding tank into the ocean within 3 nautical miles of shore.
- Yes (correct answer)
- No
- I don’t know
Answer:
Pump-out, don’t dump out! It is illegal to dump sewage holding tanks within 3 nautical miles of shore. In busy or poorly flushed anchorages, sewage from boats harms the environment. Each year, discharge of sewage results in shellfish closures, increases risks to human health, and is unpleasant to other boaters. Raw sewage discharge is legally prohibited and no longer acceptable.
12. What is the recommended depth to anchor out near eelgrass meadows to avoid damaging them?
- Greater than 8 meters (25 feet) (correct answer)
- Greater than 12 meters (40 feet)
- There are no recommendations for eelgrass depth
- I don’t know
Answer:
When in doubt, anchor out! Greater than 8 meters (25 feet) Eelgrass grows close to shore at depths where light can penetrate through the water. Eelgrass meadows shelter and create a safe haven for many species, including juvenile salmon, herring, and crab, sequester carbon and can create a buffer against shoreline erosion.
Steps to protect eelgrass:
- Anchor outside of voluntary no-anchor zones, when applicable
- Anchor out at least 8 metres (25ft) of water at low tide (Note: Depth recommendations can vary by region), or
- Tie up at a marina or mooring buoy, when possible.