Letters to the Editor

December 1995 - January 1996

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

Low Impact?

I have been touring BC waters for the best part of twelve years, taking as much care not to scar my old kevlar Seafarer as I do in caring for the places I visit and camp. I was first struck by the friendly and considerate people who share my interests in the wild and the serene opportunities on our doorstep. In the past few years, however, I have been introduced to some new attitudes which would have altered my enthusiasm.

My first negative experience occurred on a trip to Kyuquot. On arrival at Spring Island we found that the largest and most protected camp site was occupied on a seasonal basis by a very large cook structure in addition to some fifteen tents; in three days we saw no more than five people on that beach and not one kayak enter or leave the site. The south west exposed area of the island was completely covered by a number of groups cooperating to make the most of a crowded situation. Stormy weather kept us from travelling to Bunsby and Brooks where I understand seasonal base camps also monopolize the most appropriate camp areas.

This year my wife and I spent a few weeks in Johnstone Strait and in the islands north of Blackfish Sound. On previous visits there has always been ample camping space. To my surprise, we were snarled at from both sides of the beach when we landed at Kaikash beach. Both guided groups of eight kept their fires burning all day long at least twelve feet away from the high tide in the midst of the well established logs for anyone to examine for years to come. The cooking sites, erected in areas capable of containing at least seven tents, were large enough to feed twenty people each; their tents fanned out to fill the bulk of the Kaikash site. We set up our tent on the sand beach about two feet above high tide only to find fresh evidence of human feces. This is not 'no impact' or 'low impact' camping.

During our stay in the Islands north of Johnstone Strait, we met and camped with two other groups whose companionship added considerable depth to our own trip. On our return from the islands we thought we would stop at Little Kaikash before returning to Telegraph Cove; we found that this beach was also liberally covered with a huge kitchen complex and tents for a relatively small group of eight. We were told to go somewhere else. It became fairly obvious that this kitchen was left in place for group one, two, and three to rotate through the area.

As the popularity of sea kayaking increases in B.C. waters, we must not only preserve the areas available to us in as pristine a condition as possible, but also consider the availability of camping space when other paddlers may turn up tired, cold, or weather-bound.

If there are other readers who have encountered some of my recent experiences, it may be interesting to hear about them and how they addressed them. The BC Marine Trail Association may be one vehicle capable of assisting or the various kayak guide associations might police their membership.

Ken McLeish
Richmond, BC

More Impact?

This summer I was fortunate to be able to sea kayak in Clayoquot Sound with a group of friends. The natural beauty of the area and wildness of the ocean environment truly is amazing.

One of our camps was on a beautiful sand beach on the northwest corner of Vargas Island. When we arrived, there was another group camped further down the beach. Later that day, two people from the other group came down to our camp to say hello. They told us they were on a guided tour with a group of 14 people paddling single and double kayaks.

The next morning, the group left. It was very windy that day. When we went for a walk down the beach, we could see smoke coming from where their camp had been. When we got there, we found wood still burning on one side of the fire pit, food and garbage (cans) left in the fire, and charred paper being blown around by the wind. Needless to say, we put out the fire and cleaned out the fire pit. In addition to the kitchen mess, we found the frame and rocks of a sauna or sweat, complete with board seats and a grass and duct tape headdress on one of the posts. By the time I went back and got my camera to take photos, most of the food had been scavenged away by birds.

I was dismayed to find such a mess left by a "guided" tour group. Having been involved in outdoor activities for many years, I appreciate being able to explore new places and always attempt to leave no trace of my visit. I certainly never anticipated finding such a deplorable disarray left behind by a group led by guides who one would hope are experienced outdoor leaders! This situation not only detracted from my wilderness experience, but also raised concerns regarding deeper issues such as:

 

• potential forest fire hazard from burning coals getting whipped by the wind
  
  

• animals scavenging garbage becoming accustomed to human food, altering their natural feeding behaviours, and becoming a nuisance to other humans in that area in the future
  
  

• visual eyesore detracting from a wilderness experience not only for our group, but for others as well
  
  

• what happened to the group's human waste, especially feces (the beach was very large and we used the intertidal zone as suggested)
  
  

• "wild" places receiving unnecessary and easily avoidable impact by large guided groups (in Ontario, the maximum group size is 9 on wilderness campsites)
  
  

• the amount of cumulative impact tour groups have in general if this situation is an example of the status quo
  
  

• the company's lack of minimal impact camping techniques
  
  

• this poor example set by guides being followed by others--clients who later go on their own trips, or other paddlers who find it when they get off the water.

The experience I had while sea kayaking in Clayoquot Sound certainly is a memorable one. However, BC's coast will not be "supernatural" for much longer and sea kayaking companies will never be respected if this is an example of their wilderness ethic.

I would encourage the sea kayaking industry to promote minimal impact standards (including maximum group size), and for tour companies to practice them to ensure that wilderness experiences can be enjoyed by all for many years to come.

Terry Knight
Paris, Ontario

Stolen Boats

In reference to the articles in your November issue regarding a "boat registry", I am pleased to report that the small vessel regulations of the Canada Shipping Act provide that... "a customs officer shall on request provide the owner of a vessel with a form of application for a vessel licence and, on receipt of such form completed, shall issue to the owner of the vessel without charge a licence in the form set out..."

As most kayaks have engines of less than 7.5 kw, you are not required to licence your vessel, but can do so voluntarily! Your vessel is then licensed with what is commonly known as a "k" number. 13K.... for Vancouver, 10K... for sunny Prince Rupert. (There is a space on the application form to record the vessel serial number as well).

I believe that the lack of adequate identification on most kayaks encourage thieves. A properly displayed "K" number is not going to guarantee that your kayak will never be stolen, but it may act as a deterrent. The licence number will also assist law enforcement or search and rescue personnel should your kayak be recovered (without you in it!)

I was recently involved in a search in Chatham Sound where a fishing vessel had located an overturned kayak. Trying to determine who the owner was and where the vessel might have come from is no easy task when minutes count. It turned out that the kayak belonged to a local rental firm and had been rented the day before. This information would have been obtained much sooner if the vessel had been licensed. (Fortunately the owner was located later that day alive on the beach.)

Finally, the problems of theft are not peculiar to kayaks. Numerous small skiffs, canoes, etc. are stolen every year. Many of the same principles apply... they are hard to identify, serial numbers are not easy to locate, they are often not licensed, they are easy to transport, and, last but not least, they are easy to market!

Geoffrey Gould
Prince Rupert Marine Rescue Society
Prince Rupert, BC

'Security' = Global Threat

I read Alan Wilson's editorial (Aug/Sep '95 issue), and thank him for expressing his concern about militarism at sea. I liked his analysis that the nuclear threat "exists largely unchallenged because it goes under the pseudonym 'security'".

In the case of the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental Test Range (CFMETR) off Nanoose Bay, Vancouver Island, the testing of torpedoes, electronics, communications and guidance systems is needed for "collective security". In the words of Randall McCauley, Senior Adviser in the Office of the Minister of National Defence: "CFMETR represents a contribution by Canada towards ensuring that the international community has the military means to support collective security."

It boggles my mind that this Mr. McCauley can calmly advise that the continued existence and operation of a death ship like the Trident submarine, which carries 12 warheads equal to 17 Hiroshimas each, actually "supports collective security".

Security is from the Latin sine cura, without a care, no worries, therefore safe, comfortable. Collective security, to me, means having a sustained social order which can evenly distribute water, food, raw materials, and products, in which built-in obsolescence and one-way packaging are simply illegal. A form of what Schumacher called "Buddhist economics", where the most needs are met with the least resources.

On the other hand, of course, the order which has produced and now depends on the military machinery, is unsustainable and thus, breeds insecurity.

'Security through strength' is one of many fallacies which belong to our common intellectual environment. We need to identify and analyse these deliberate fallacies in media and public discourse.

If you want to participate in dialogue concerning weapons testing in Georgia Strait, or at Goose Bay, Labrador, please contact your MP, the Minister of National Defence in Ottawa (K1A 0K2), your local newspaper, etc. And don't forget Ms. Elsie L. Munsell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Environmental & Safety Department of the Navy, 1000 Navy, Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350-1000 USA.

Hendrik DeWilde
Gabriola Island, BC