All at Sea: Toxic Oil Slick is a Killer

Four weeks after the Montaro Field oil leak began, the well head remains uncapped and the toxic slick continues to spread, covering an area north of Australia at least 100 times the size of Sydney Harbour. “It is unfortunate that this unfolding wildlife crisis is not being given the urgency and attention it deserves. Out of sight should not mean out of mind,” said WWF’s Dr Gilly Llewellyn.

Toxic oil spill likely to affect thousands

Up to fifteen species of whale and dolphin, over thirty seabird species and five turtle species are the potential victims of the Montaro Field oil leak, which continues to pour out an estimated 400 barrels of oil each day.

New estimates show up to 30,000 individual sea snakes and 16,000 turtles may be found in the area affected by the oil leak’s slick.

Four weeks after the leak began, the well head remains uncapped and the toxic slick from this chronic oil leak continues to spread, with estimates of between 6,500 and 15,000 km2 being covered – an area at least 100 times the size of Sydney Harbour.

These figures are contained in a new report by Australian ecologist Simon Mustoe (CenvP) for WWF-Australia, titled Montara Field Oil Leak and Biodiversity Values, which, released today examines the likely impacts of the toxic oil slick on the region’s wildlife.

“We need to shatter the myth that oil an spill only affects marine wildlife when it washes up on our beaches,” said Dr Gilly Llewellyn, WWF-Australia’s Conservation Director.

Marine wildlife communities, habitats and species, their location, conservation status, significance under the EPBC Act and vulnerability to the Montara Field oil leak are analysed in the report, painting a picture of an unseen marine community under continuing threat from the leak. 

“This area has a huge amount of marine life, including some of the most iconic wildlife in the oceans. Species such as Fraser’s dolphin, green and flatback turtles and red-footed booby migrate through this area and may come into contact with the slick.

“We should not be lulled into thinking that spraying dispersants on the surface solves the problem. These dispersants may end up actually raising the level of toxicity in the water column while sinking some of the oil currently on the surface into deeper water,” said Dr Llewellyn.

As seabirds spend a large amount of time on the surface of the water, the report highlights that they are particularly vulnerable to the oil slick on the surface.

The report also shows the duration of the leak and slick to be a major concern, with risks to large numbers of individual species and possibly longer-term effects on both individuals and populations.

WWF will next week launch a research trip from Darwin to the affected area to assess first hand the marine life and the potential impacts of the slick.

“It is unfortunate that this unfolding wildlife crisis is not being given the urgency and attention it deserves. Out of sight should not mean out of mind,” said Dr Llewellyn.

“The only way to really know what marine life is at risk from this toxic slick is to actually go to the affected region and do the research.

“We will be happy to share our findings with companies and government organisations tasked with cleaning up after this disaster.

“But more importantly, as the threat of more oil and gas infrastructure in this fragile marine region grows, we must make sure that the very real risk of more leaks is taken into account.”

A copy of the report – Montaro Field Oil Leak and Biodiversity Values is available from WWF.

Source: www.wwf.org.au