Two Canadian men were caught illegally dumping waste into a creek, Global News reports.
Security camera footage captured the moment the perpetrator dumped construction debris and what looked like paint into Noons Creek between Coquitlam and Port Moody, B.C.
This is particularly damaging because the site is located upstream from the Port Moody Ecological Society, which actively hatches salmon.
“The scary thing is that when stuff is dumped into the creek, which is pretty high now, it could come down and destroy everything because from the look of it, it was done at night and it could come down here today and find everything dead,” David Bennie, the association’s vice president, told Global News. “We just put, I don’t know, 10, 15,000, no, about 25,000 salmon eggs from Chum Salmon into our hatchery. So they can destroy all of them.”
Wild salmon populations on the West Coast have declined dramatically due to overfishing and habitat degradation. As an alternative, salmon farms bear their own environmental costs. Salmon are an important food source for humans and wildlife. When salmon die after spawning upstream, they feed the entire ecosystem.
The worst part about this illegal dump was that there was a nearby location that disposed of construction waste and could recycle the paint. That’s why it’s crucial to understand your recycling options.
Proper disposal not only prevents damage to shared natural resources but also avoids hefty fines if caught. BC provincial authorities are currently investigating the case. Fines for illegal dumping in the area can be up to $1 million and six months in jail.
Locals are completely unfazed by the actions of those dumping rubbish in Nuns Creek and give little thought to those polluting their waters.
“Ignorant. Careless, not caring about anything but himself, selfish person,” Benny said, according to Global News.
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