Retiring Victoria Liberal MP David Anderson warns that proposals for oil ports in Vancouver and Kitimat are more imminent threats to B.C.'s marine environment than offshore oil and gas exploration.

The federal government has a moratorium in place on offshore oil and gas exploration, but environmental groups fear pressure from the B.C. government may reverse that policy.

Liberal MP David Anderson ( File photo)

The Campbell Liberal government has said it wants offshore oil and gas flowing from by 2010, despite the current moratorium.

"The big problem we face now, in terms of future battles, is two very major and very serious proposals for oil ports – one exporting oil from Vancouver, and the other proposal is to link the tar sands for export through the port at Kitimat."

Anderson says it's unlikely the federal government will lift its moratorium on drilling, but adds it's almost certain there will be a private proposal for oil port exports from B.C. within a year.

Anderson has just been honoured by the Western Canada Wilderness Committee with an award for his 34 years of work to prevent offshore oil and gas development.

The WCWC says the "Oil Free Coast Achievement Award" is another way of drawing attention to the issue – noting a federal government report found 75 per cent of Canadians support the moratorium.