FOGO ISLAND/CHANGE ISLANDS — The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has confirmed the source of the oil found in the Blow Hard Rock area.
CCG senior Environmental Response officer with Robert Grant has confirmed that the oil is coming from the Manolis L., a paper carrier that sank in the area in 1985.
Over the weekend the CCG worked with the Canadian Hydrographic Service and CCGS George R Pearkes to use a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to look for the source of the oil within the general area.
The sonar images and photos determined there was one vessel hull belonging to the Manolis L. Preliminary reports have located two cracks in the hull. The vessel appears to be in approximately 82 meters of water and is upside down. The cracks are 16 and 12 inches in length and are very close together.
There was a small leak coming from that area comparable to strings of toffee due to the temperature of the water at that depth. The sheening at the surface of the water is from these strings coming to the top of the water, but there are still no large amounts of oil.
Yesterday (April 30) there was a further assessment of the hull and a sample of the oil was taken to be sent for analysis and compared to the samples already sent to the lab in Moncton, NB.
This is to ensure the oil from the sheen is from the same source.
The CCG’s short-term priority is to use diving ops to determine what course of action to take. After the data is assessed there will be a larger ROV sent to the site of the leak to determine if the cracks can be patched or plugged. The stability of the hull and vessel are the determining factors in how to approach the repairs and it is too soon to decide on a long-term solution.
The CCG, Environment Canada, Transport Canada, DFO, Fisheries Habitat and Conservation and Protection are all continuing to work together towards this incident
While the investigation continues the CCG will continue on-water monitoring, use of bird hazing equipment (used to discourage birds from the area), assessment and recovery if necessary. Environment Canada is also continuing the shore-line aerial surveys.
The Pilot will provide further details as they become available.
christy.boyd pilotnl.ca
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Sporadic sheening
Rumoured oil spill near Fogo Island being investigated
FOGO ISLAND — The report of oiled seabirds near Fogo Island has caused quite a commotion, even being the topic of an Opposition critic’s discussion in the House of Assembly last week.
On April 24, opposition critic for Environment and Conservation, Randy Edmunds, questioned Minister of Environment and Conservation, Tom Hedderson, regarding what government was doing to investigate and remedy the situation, and as a follow up, the Pilot contacted the department requesting an interview with Minister Hedderson. It was told the matter falls under federal jurisdiction, and was referred to the Coast Guard.
A day later, the Pilot spoke with Canadian Coast Guard’s Senior Environmental Response Officer, Robert Grant, concerning the oiled ducks found in the Fogo Island area.
Mr. Grant stated they received the initial report of oiled birds near Fogo Island/Change Islands on March 31. It was reported there were 100 live oiled birds, and this number escalated to 400 oiled birds by the next day.
Mr. Grant said, “At no time was this number confirmed. These are unconfirmed reports.”
He continued by stating there were only two scavenged carcasses given to Canadian Wildlife officers, and they were then sent to the lab for analysis.
The results concluded there was no oil on the birds, but, he indicated, the results may have been tainted because of the state of scavenge the carcasses were in.
Mr. Grant said, once the Coast Guard had these reports, it started aerial surveillance operations in the area, with the aid of Transport Canada aircraft. He told the Pilot on April 25, “there has been regular flight surveillance for the past week.”
He added from these surveillances, the Coast Guard have noticed a sporadic sheening around the Blow Hard Rock area.
Mr. Grant said, “It’s not a large quantity and it dissipates rather quickly.”
The Coast Guard has also deployed an environment response team and they have bird hazing — bird scaring — devices and will deploy them weather permitting. They also will be performing on-water monitoring operations, shoreline surveys, and recovery, if it becomes necessary. He said, Transport Canada is continuing its aerial surveillance as well.
“On April 23, the team took samples and they have been sent to the Environment Canada lab in Moncton, N.B., for analysis,” said Mr. Grant.
He said there have been no impact on the crab fishery and no reports of any impact to the fish. However, two seal carcasses have been delivered to Twillingate to be sent for analysis, he added.
Mr. Grant said, “The Coast Guard, Environment Canada, Transport Canada, DFO, Fisheries Habitat and Conservation and Protection are all working in partnership towards this incident.”
christy.boyd pilotnl.ca
