Community Articles (listed by posting date)
General News · 11th September 2025
Storm
EDITOR'S NOTE
Staff Report AQUACULTURE REGULATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT May 2024
SRD, an area of concern/discussion
It was claimed over and again there was no proposed zoning changes to AQ, that it was merely terminology changes.
This is false.
Anyone who took the time to read the SRD proposal maps
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Showing-Edits-CortesDraftZoningEdits_Sept4_2025.pdf
saw many increased areas and new areas and some areas removed.
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CurrentCortesZoning_Jan2025.pdf
An example, the area off Hollyhock not previously zoned AQ is proposed to be zoned for AQ
but the hotbed of concern is Gorge and Coulter Bay.
As the meeting officials stated, SRD does not regulate, can not regulate mooring or recreational use of boats in any form.
The SRD does not regulate 'live a boards'.
Adding additional acreage to AQ across from Gorge resort where Gorge visitors anchor, residents of island anchor year round negatively impacts the island quality of life living and peace impacting Gorge resort access/fiscal bottom line, creating more animosity between a variety of users/groups/class of citizen.
To better understand, an area zoned AQ prohibits certain uses but what few know or understand is that vessels must keep a 400' berth (125M) from AQ zones otherwise the AQ farmers can not sell their product.
Rumors abound
as does confusion
To clear up a recent rumor re Gorge closed 5 months last year due to 'live a boards' bacteria this again is false.
The area closed was Read island due to psp algae and was and is not human activity related.
Hysteria from AQ employees concerned about losing their jobs is overplayed.
It should be noted we are seeing reports of Domoic acid in Mansons Lagoon, which is dangerous..also not human related.
What is human related that occurs in Gorge has resulted in the West end and SW shore of west end permanently closed by DFO due to fecal cauliform counts that originate not from a handful of boaters but rather septic outfall and overflow of the upland properties at West end of Gorge
CLOSED signage exists along the SW shoreline all along to the entrance.
This is the area SRD plans to rezone to the largest block of AQ activity in Gorge across from resort but, it is a closed area. An area where the good people of Cortes anchor their vessels they can not get moorage for for whatever reason. Insurance criteria required can not be met w/older vessels. As well HACI/CCD does not allow recreational vessels on the so called "Community" docks. Gorge Resort allows some vessels in off season that meet criteria and can afford their rates.
Enlarging AQ zone across from Resort that would cut SW and outer shoreline water access only properties from safe transits to Robertson or Gorge docks forcing them a longer more dangerous passage around Bee Ilets and displaces 30 boats that could effectively end transient anchorage, vessels seeking shelter from storms, access to Gorge Resort for music movies swimming food fuel etc as boats can not anchor within 125M of AQ zone.
That is closed.
Permanently.
By DFO.
Due to septic issues at West end that if you visit, you can smell.
We need to stop blaming boaters for uplander outfalls.
Many vessels in Gorge that people use have containment systems for effluent.
Large vessel visitors to island have containment systems. Small sailboats and some smaller older recreational power boats do not contain effluent.
A solution offered in past is to have a pump out vessel available for pump outs of holding tanks in Gorge but few would ever use it and it does not address the west end effluent outfall ...
Septic systems fail due to chemicals such as laundry detergents, phosphates, cleaning products that disrupt the biological process septic systems rely on to remain effective and clean. Oil, drugs, antifreeze, other types of run off also contribute to a degradation of ecosystems. This includes toxic lumber placed along creek that runs along Robertson Rd.
The Cortes Community Plan forbids the use of pressure treated toxic chemical laden lumber in/near its lakes and this toxic run off on Robertson Rd can not be good for ducks birds geese who bathe there nor the AQ farmers downstream of this toxic outpouring and should be removed 2 years ago.
Its important we stick to facts when having discussions.
Fact 1) SRD IS planning to add additional congestion by adding additional AQ zoning in Gorge and other places. The reps were dishonest in this regard at recent meeting.
2) the bacteria closure in Gorge last year for 5 months, again, false.
3) that live a boards are the reason for bacteria counts, again mostly false, this is septic run off from upland properties who have never had their septic systems cleaned inspected .
In haste we could discriminate against fellow Cortesians by banning or impeding the use of please craft in Gorge but this would not and does not solve nor address the real problem, the real root of where the human bacteria issue stems.
It should also be noted Orca whales frequent Gorge and in the area proposed and where boats anchor.
That seaplanes accessing Gorge docks are already flying out of regulation, that further density at west end would end sea plane access completely to which there are both pros and cons.
As the West end is closed, permanently, by DFO it makes no sense to increase Bee Islets zone nor add additional block from Andreas to Bee islets negatively impacting boaters and visitors from all over who visit, islanders who use the anchorage, visitors to Resort, sea planes, Orca habitat when an area free of congestion is open and available.
The area South of Tan island, East of Gorge entrance has very little AQ zoning, no fecal issues, and only 1 boat at anchor ..
This is a far better area for AQ than stealing the area Cortesians use to anchor boats.
Cortesians have contained their vessels mostly in one area that is closed to AQ by DFO, permanently, essentially leaving the rest of Gorge Harbour to AQ pursuits.
Lets not point fingers and discriminate against a class of citizen who have taken it upon themselves to contain their waste and or keep their vessel in an area unsuitable for AQ activity.
Lets act like adults.
Staff Report AQUACULTURE REGULATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT May 2024
SRD, an area of concern/discussion
It was claimed over and again there was no proposed zoning changes to AQ, that it was merely terminology changes.
This is false.
Anyone who took the time to read the SRD proposal maps
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Showing-Edits-CortesDraftZoningEdits_Sept4_2025.pdf
saw many increased areas and new areas and some areas removed.
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CurrentCortesZoning_Jan2025.pdf
An example, the area off Hollyhock not previously zoned AQ is proposed to be zoned for AQ
but the hotbed of concern is Gorge and Coulter Bay.
As the meeting officials stated, SRD does not regulate, can not regulate mooring or recreational use of boats in any form.
The SRD does not regulate 'live a boards'.
Adding additional acreage to AQ across from Gorge resort where Gorge visitors anchor, residents of island anchor year round negatively impacts the island quality of life living and peace impacting Gorge resort access/fiscal bottom line, creating more animosity between a variety of users/groups/class of citizen.
To better understand, an area zoned AQ prohibits certain uses but what few know or understand is that vessels must keep a 400' berth (125M) from AQ zones otherwise the AQ farmers can not sell their product.
Rumors abound
as does confusion
To clear up a recent rumor re Gorge closed 5 months last year due to 'live a boards' bacteria this again is false.
The area closed was Read island due to psp algae and was and is not human activity related.
Hysteria from AQ employees concerned about losing their jobs is overplayed.
It should be noted we are seeing reports of Domoic acid in Mansons Lagoon, which is dangerous..also not human related.
What is human related that occurs in Gorge has resulted in the West end and SW shore of west end permanently closed by DFO due to fecal cauliform counts that originate not from a handful of boaters but rather septic outfall and overflow of the upland properties at West end of Gorge
CLOSED signage exists along the SW shoreline all along to the entrance.
This is the area SRD plans to rezone to the largest block of AQ activity in Gorge across from resort but, it is a closed area. An area where the good people of Cortes anchor their vessels they can not get moorage for for whatever reason. Insurance criteria required can not be met w/older vessels. As well HACI/CCD does not allow recreational vessels on the so called "Community" docks. Gorge Resort allows some vessels in off season that meet criteria and can afford their rates.
Enlarging AQ zone across from Resort that would cut SW and outer shoreline water access only properties from safe transits to Robertson or Gorge docks forcing them a longer more dangerous passage around Bee Ilets and displaces 30 boats that could effectively end transient anchorage, vessels seeking shelter from storms, access to Gorge Resort for music movies swimming food fuel etc as boats can not anchor within 125M of AQ zone.
That is closed.
Permanently.
By DFO.
Due to septic issues at West end that if you visit, you can smell.
We need to stop blaming boaters for uplander outfalls.
Many vessels in Gorge that people use have containment systems for effluent.
Large vessel visitors to island have containment systems. Small sailboats and some smaller older recreational power boats do not contain effluent.
A solution offered in past is to have a pump out vessel available for pump outs of holding tanks in Gorge but few would ever use it and it does not address the west end effluent outfall ...
Septic systems fail due to chemicals such as laundry detergents, phosphates, cleaning products that disrupt the biological process septic systems rely on to remain effective and clean. Oil, drugs, antifreeze, other types of run off also contribute to a degradation of ecosystems. This includes toxic lumber placed along creek that runs along Robertson Rd.
The Cortes Community Plan forbids the use of pressure treated toxic chemical laden lumber in/near its lakes and this toxic run off on Robertson Rd can not be good for ducks birds geese who bathe there nor the AQ farmers downstream of this toxic outpouring and should be removed 2 years ago.
Its important we stick to facts when having discussions.
Fact 1) SRD IS planning to add additional congestion by adding additional AQ zoning in Gorge and other places. The reps were dishonest in this regard at recent meeting.
2) the bacteria closure in Gorge last year for 5 months, again, false.
3) that live a boards are the reason for bacteria counts, again mostly false, this is septic run off from upland properties who have never had their septic systems cleaned inspected .
In haste we could discriminate against fellow Cortesians by banning or impeding the use of please craft in Gorge but this would not and does not solve nor address the real problem, the real root of where the human bacteria issue stems.
It should also be noted Orca whales frequent Gorge and in the area proposed and where boats anchor.
That seaplanes accessing Gorge docks are already flying out of regulation, that further density at west end would end sea plane access completely to which there are both pros and cons.
As the West end is closed, permanently, by DFO it makes no sense to increase Bee Islets zone nor add additional block from Andreas to Bee islets negatively impacting boaters and visitors from all over who visit, islanders who use the anchorage, visitors to Resort, sea planes, Orca habitat when an area free of congestion is open and available.
The area South of Tan island, East of Gorge entrance has very little AQ zoning, no fecal issues, and only 1 boat at anchor ..
This is a far better area for AQ than stealing the area Cortesians use to anchor boats.
Cortesians have contained their vessels mostly in one area that is closed to AQ by DFO, permanently, essentially leaving the rest of Gorge Harbour to AQ pursuits.
Lets not point fingers and discriminate against a class of citizen who have taken it upon themselves to contain their waste and or keep their vessel in an area unsuitable for AQ activity.
Lets act like adults.
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