Birds spotted drenched in oil near Poole Harbour after spillage amid warnings
Birds and other wildlife are feared to have been contaminated after a “potentially catastrophic” oil spill.
The RSPB said oiled birds had been spotted around Poole Harbour in Dorset following the leak on Sunday.
A major incident was declared when 200 barrels of reservoir fluid – consisting of 15% oil – spilled from Perenco’s Wytch Farm oil field.
Local council leader Philip Broadhead told BBC Radio 4: “I am clearly angry and disappointed.
“This is the second-largest natural harbour [with] award-winning beaches [and a] very delicate ecosystem. The natural reaction is to be very worried.”
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Asking an urgent question in the Commons, Conservative MP for South Dorset, Richard Drax, said: “I am very concerned at this spill, which is potentially catastrophic.”
'Investigations are currently underway,' environment minister Rebecca Pow said (PA)Environment minister Rebecca Pow told the Commons: “Investigations are currently underway to determine the reason for the fault and to make sure that similar incidents are not repeated.”
Poole Harbour is an internationally important wetland and is a protected area as well as a site of special scientific interest. The RSPB said yesterday it was too early to fully assess the damage to wildlife although it was “very concerned” about the effect on migrating birds.
The Poole Harbour area, as seen from from Hamworthy Park beach (PA)Peter Robertson, senior site manager at RSPB Arne, which borders the harbour, said: “We have received reports of oiled birds in the area and we are monitoring the situation closely.”
Brian Bleese, of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “The impact on other marine species is also of great concern.”
Protestors gathered yesterday to demonstrate against Perenco.
Andy Hadley, 59, from Poole, said: “The fear of this happening has always been a real concern.
The scene of the oil leak where workers have placed a boom across the water at Owers Bay in Poole harbour (Getty Images)“We should be investing in clean energy – the wind will always blow.”
Franck Dy, Perenco UK’s Wytch Farm general manager, said: “Any spill is an extremely serious matter and a full investigation will be launched...
"It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.”
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The public was yesterday advised to avoid going into the water or using the beaches despite the oil appearing to begin to disperse later in the day
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