Orca habitat under threat – your help is needed
 The Marine Connection has received updated news from our colleagues at Orcalab on Hanson Island, British Columbia with regards to the fuel tanker that sunk in August 2007 in the world’s best known orca habitat – the Ecological Reserve at Robson Bight. Months after the underwater investigation, which showed the tanker almost certainly still full of toxic diesel fuel, no plans for a cleanup before the orcas arrive have been made. This is a very worrying situation and we are asking everyone for their support.
Canada’s initial response, via its Coastguard, was to discount the possibility of serious impacts by claiming all the oil and fuel had been released and dispersed. Eventually, after being pressured by NGOs who had to raise the funds needed to conduct the investigation, the governments of British Columbia and Canada commissioned an underwater inspection of the spill site which was completed in early December. Months later, we are still waiting for an announcement that the cleanup will be undertaken before the orcas return in early summer. Organising and conducting such a cleanup will take time, time is passing quickly and meanwhile, a ticking toxic time bomb is lying on the ocean floor 350m below Robson Bight.
The orcas will return soon and if the fuel tanker isn’t removed by the time the animals arrive, it will be considered too risky to do the job until they leave again in the autumn or early winter. This means the cleanup could be pushed back to next spring. Meanwhile, the diesel might remain inside the tanker, or it might not. If it is released when orcas are present, the result could be catastrophic so to ensure the ecological integrity of Robson Bight, the cleanup must be done now. Waiting any longer is not an option.
Take action
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As a matter of urgency, please insist that Canada and British Columbia act now to protect these orca and their habitat. |
Please email the following;
The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
email
The Honourable Barry Penner
Minister of the Environment
email
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