Seabirds killed by mystery pollution

Oct 7 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

HUNDREDS of seabirds are feared to have died off the North East coast after many were washed up on beaches covered in oil.

More than 150 birds have been found between Amble in Northumberland and Seaham, County Durham, over the weekend and yesterday, many completely covered with oil.

Many of them were still alive and efforts are being made to save them, but scores more have been found dead.

And it is feared far more have died but have yet to be washed to shore.

The source of the oil-like substance has yet to be pinpointed.

Species affected so far include sea ducks, guillemots, razorbills and puffins, all internationally important species according to nature experts.

The RSPCA has been conducting a rescue and recovery operation along with volunteer lifeguards.

Michelle Charlton, Chief Inspector for the RSPCA North East, said: “These birds are being washed up all along the North East coast.

“We started getting reports on Saturday night from people who had found birds and then yesterday we had dozens of reports. We have ben working flat out. More than 150 have been found so far and are being treated by us, but those are just ones which have been washed up. I fear there could be many more still out at sea, hundreds maybe.

“Some of these birds are completely covered in oil, others are not so bad. Some have died already but we have taken a lot up to Berwick where we have a special centre where these birds can be washed.

“This substance, whatever it is, is causing a lot of damage. It burns the birds and stops their feathers being waterproof. They then can’t swim properly and they sink and drown.

“The tragedy is that even the birds which are cleaned and set free will have a much reduced lifespan.

“We may never know exactly how many birds have been killed.”

Last night it was unclear what exactly the substance was or where it was coming from. But there were two theories which are being investigated by the Environment Agency and Natural England.

The first is the recent rough seas have caused the oil to reach the surface from a wreck. The other is that a ship has illegally washed out its tanks in the region.

David Hirst of Natural England said: “Those are the two theories we have at the moment, but we don’t actually know. I expect a flight will be sent out to try to find where this slick is and what has caused it.

“From the amount of birds which seem to be being washed in this is an extremely serious issue. They use the North East to breed and then head back out to sea. These are internationally important species which are being affected.

“We used to get a lot incidents like this before it was made illegal for ships to clean their tanks at sea.

“If that is what has happened it is very disturbing.”