By Helene Jessop, Conservation
Assistant, South West
The RSPB has written a piece for The Ecologist on the recent PIB
seabird incident and our call for change. We’ve set out a five-point plan
of what we think needs to happen, so that further tragic incidents are
prevented.
To recall, between 29 January and 6 February
2013, more than 500 seabirds were killed or rendered helpless by a pollution
event off the south coast of England. Many more died at sea. The pollutant
was polyisobutene or PIB, which has killed thousands of other seabirds in the
Irish and North Seas.
Marc Smith, Dorset Wildlife Trust, witnessed the
tragedy: “It was heart-breaking seeing birds washing up along the shore. Some
were so covered in this horrible substance they were stuck to the beach – still alive
but unable to move. Exhausted, freezing and emaciated - they were the lucky
ones. Dead birds littered the beach”.
RSPB says IMO must act now to prevent another
disaster
Polluting discharges at sea are regulated by the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Yet it’s still legal with conditions
to discharge PIB and other hazardous chemicals into the sea when washing out
cargo tanks. The RSPB believes this must change. We’re calling on the IMO to
implement our five point plan with the view to making discharges of PIB and
similar substances into the sea illegal.
Our five point plan requires the following:
An urgent review of the hazard classification of
PIB and other similar substances, in relation to their impacts on the marine
environment.
The testing of such substances in more realistic
marine conditions, which cover the full range of these environmental impacts.
The establishment of a monitoring system and
central database for recording pollution incidents involving chemical
substances.
Commitment to further scientific research on the
effects of these substances on all aspects of marine ecosystems, as well as
seabirds.
The strictest possible enforcement and
prosecution of illegal discharges of any polluting substance.
See the original article here for
more details, and find out about RSPB’s campaign for better protection for
our spectacular seabirds at www.rspb.org.uk/marine
The RSPB thanks Abbotsbury Swannery, Chesil Bank
& Fleet Nature Reserve, Dorset Wildlife Trust, RSPCA and South Devon
Seabird Trust for their actions in this latest incident. RSPB staff and
volunteers monitored beaches in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.
No comments:
Post a Comment