If you are at Esquimalt Lagoon and you see something that concerns you - an oil spill, wildlife in trouble, illegal fishing, or a speeding boat - please contact the appropriate agency below. Please be aware that agency numbers and mandates often change, but there is some agency cooperation so calling one number may set the wheels in motion with a number of different agencies. Also keep in mind that it is very useful to provide as exact a location as possible.

Situation Agency Phone Number
Spill reporting:
Oil, contaminant, sewage, etc originating on land or water		 Emergency Management BC (EMBC) (formerly PEP) 1.800.663.3456 24-hour
EMBC works with other agencies (Coast Guard, BC Ministry of Environment, Environment Canada, municipalities) to coordinate spill response
Sewage outflow CRD 250.360.3256
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Stormwater discharges CRD 250.360.3109
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Destruction/alteration of fish habitat; sport and commercial fishing violations Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 1.800.465.4336 24-hour
Observe, Record, Report line
Wildlife harassment Ministry of Environment 1.877.952.7277 24-hour. Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP). Anonymously report all suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife or environmental protection laws including wildlife safety issues
Disturbing migratory birds Environment Canada 1.877.768.6904 24-hour
Esquimalt Lagoon is a Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Dead or living marine mammals Marine Mammal Rescue Centre 1.604.250.7325 or Cell: 1.604.862.1647
Centre is run by Vancouver Aquarium, which is primarily interested in live, large marine mammals, but they can direct people to other agencies such as DFO
Municipal bylaw infractions such as zoning, building and development (shoreline, setbacks) and tree protection Colwood 250.478.5999
Please note that bylaw infractions should be registered with the municipality in writing or online.
Crime related Police Emergency: 911
Non-emergency: 250.474.2264 (West Shore RCMP)
Boating accident, search and rescue Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre 1.800.567.5111 Cell: #727 24-hour
Encountering or disturbing cultural sites Archaeology Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations 250.953.3334