VICTORIA — A First Nation has built a small artificial island in Coles Bay off Vancouver Island, triggering an investigation into potential habitat destruction and whether the work was authorized.
The Department of Fisheries says its officers are assessing whether the Pauquachin (PAK'-quw-chin) First Nation needed permission to construct the island, which is part of a plan to build a clam garden in the shallows of the bay.
Excavators and dump trucks were involved in building the island over several days last week, hauling loads of rock into the tidal waters.
North Saanich resident Richard Smith watched the construction and says he's concerned about the state of the ocean floor.
Smith says its important for the federal government and the First Nation to be transparent about the work, including whether permission was required.
The First Nation has been calling on the federal and the provincial governments to clean up Coles Bay, so it can resume shellfish harvesting for food and ceremonial purposes.
Shellfish harvesting in Coles Bay has been prohibited since 1997, because of pollution from nearby septic systems.
The Canadian Press
