Sustainability

Marina Cleanup Yields Surprising Haul

A volunteer-led cleanup at Bronte Harbour uncovered over 300 pounds of waste—including tires and electronics—sparking conversations about marine pollution in Lake Ontario.

By Ethan Sinclair | 2025-08-22 06:42

What started as a sunny Saturday morning shoreline stroll turned into a full-scale cleanup operation at Bronte Harbour. More than 40 volunteers, armed with gloves, buckets, and high spirits, gathered at the marina to tackle what organizers described as a growing concern beneath the waves: human waste.

Led by the Oakville Environmental Alliance and supported by the Town’s parks department, the cleanup effort uncovered nearly 300 pounds of waste, ranging from plastic bottles and aluminum cans to rusted bicycle frames and discarded electronics.

“The strangest thing we pulled out was an old television set,” said diver and volunteer coordinator Cam Foster. “We think it had been down there for over a decade. There was moss growing in the screen like it was a fish tank.”

Using sonar equipment and nets, divers located submerged debris along the dock walls and under boat slips. Volunteers on land sorted and weighed items, documenting everything for future analysis. The data will be shared with municipal officials to inform pollution control policy.

Local residents passing by were surprised by the volume and variety of trash. “You’d think people would be more careful in such a beautiful spot,” said longtime Oakville resident Marie Gagnon. “But seeing it pulled out makes it real.”

Organizers say the marina sees a lot of seasonal traffic, which contributes to accidental and sometimes deliberate dumping. Fishing gear, ropes, and broken paddles were also among the items retrieved. The cleanup is part of a broader push to improve Oakville’s water health rating.

Students from a nearby high school participated as part of their environmental science curriculum. “It’s one thing to read about pollution,” said Grade 12 student Liam Cho. “It’s another to pull a shopping cart out of the lake with your own hands.”

The event wasn’t just about hauling garbage—it was also about raising awareness. Informational booths were set up nearby, sharing tips on responsible boating, recycling, and the dangers of microplastics. Children were given coloring books themed around marine stewardship.

Town Councillor Ingrid Moretti, who visited the site mid-morning, praised the community spirit. “This is Oakville at its best—citizens taking action, educating each other, and protecting what we all share.”

Several boaters at the marina took the opportunity to ask questions about sustainable practices. Volunteers handed out absorbent pads for oil spills and encouraged boat owners to schedule regular waste checks onboard.

The initiative is part of a larger campaign known as ‘Clean Shorelines Halton,’ which has expanded to include monthly cleanups along the Sixteen Mile Creek and Gairloch Gardens. Organizers hope to make the marina cleanup an annual tradition.

As volunteers posed for a group photo in front of the trash pile, smiles and sweat mixed under the autumn sun. “It’s dirty work,” Foster said, “but when you see a turtle swimming where there used to be a tire—well, that’s worth every scrape and blister.”