Clean Marine Facts

*The OMOA is a not-for-profit organization, and all government support for the Clean Marine program goes directly to educating, marketing, auditing and certifying marine facilities.

*The Clean Marine Program has been supported by Environment Canada and Ontario Ministry of Environment.

*Since 2000, the Ontario Marine Operators (OMOA) has Eco-Rated (environmentally certified) 258 marinas.

*GreenLeaf Environmental Communications audits each marina. The audit is scored and converted to an Eco-Rating of from one to five anchors. GreenLeaf Environmental issues a report on how to improve performance. In years two and three the marina completes a self-audit and has a mandatory full re-audit by GreenLeaf Environmental in year four.

*In 2003, the first marina achieved the highest five-anchor rating. There are now 19 with that rating.

*The improvements over four years can best be demonstrated by the 50 facilities first audited in 2003 and re-audited in 2006. In 2003, 2 received a four-anchor rating and none achieved the highest five-anchor rating. In 2006, 10 received a four-anchor rating and 8 reached the coveted five-anchor rating.

*The 258 marinas educate their thousands of resident boaters in environmental best management practices to protect our lakes and rivers.

*In 2000, virtually no shrinkwrap or anti-freeze was recycled. In 2006, 971,000 sq. ft. of shrinkwrap was recycled and kept from landfill sites and 12 contractors are collecting it throughout the province.

*90% of participants used low-toxicity anti-freeze for winterizing engines and more than 20% was saved for re-use. 24,000 liters was recycled.

*Almost 71,000 liters of oil was collected and recycled.

*One supplier of EcoLogo (Federal Government approved and certified) environmentally responsible bottom wax has sold 750,000 bottles, eliminating the use of other less-desirable products.

These statistics are just a few of the positive results achieved by the Clean Marine Eco-Rating program in the province of Ontario. Similar programs operating in the US, are all staffed, operated and funded by state agencies. Many give financial incentives to marinas that join, and Florida gives a rebate on water lot leases to those who participate. No program outside Ontario requires continuous improvement, but only to meet specified requirements.

Information provided by OMOA as of January 21, 2007