Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia

The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is a registered non-profit organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It has been a registered Canadian tax-deductible charity since 1992. The society's primary mission is to create environmentally and economically sustainable artificial reefs in British Columbia and around the world. These reefs aim to protect and enhance sensitive marine habitats while also providing interesting dive sites for scuba divers, supporting eco-adventure tourism, and benefiting local coastal communities.

History and Activities

Founded in 1991, the ARSBC has successfully sunk eight ships and one Boeing 737 off the west coast of British Columbia. These artificial reefs serve as biodiversity enhancements, providing new habitats for marine life without releasing hazardous materials such as heavy metals and toxic paints.

The organization is entirely volunteer-driven, with no paid employees. It relies on a volunteer Board of Directors and hundreds of volunteers from British Columbia, Alberta, and the northwest United States to execute its projects.

Mission Objectives

• Environmental Sustainability: Enhance marine habitats through the creation of artificial reefs.
• Economic Benefits: Support local communities by promoting eco-adventure scuba diving tourism.
• Education and Awareness: Promote the use of artificial reefs as a sustainable option to mitigate the environmental impact of scuba diving activities in sensitive or historically significant areas.

Achievements

The ARSBC has completed several notable projects, including the sinking of various naval vessels such as the HMCS Chaudiere, HMCS Mackenzie, HMCS Columbia, and HMCS Saskatchewan. These projects have not only created unique dive sites but also contributed to marine biodiversity.

The society also participates in public education efforts to advance knowledge about artificial reef creation and safety procedures. It evaluates its reef creation programs and incorporates new findings into future projects to ensure continued effectiveness and environmental responsibility.