Presentation
A Strategy For Minimizing Impacts To Alcids and Grebes During Oil Spill Events
SessionWildlife - Impacts
DescriptionMarine birds are extremely vulnerable to spilled oil; as such, they are environmentally sensitive resources to be protected during oil spill response. This is particularly true for species of conservation concern, including those whose population declines are often associated with marine pollution. Many marine bird species are excellent divers. Their ability to submerge and disperse rapidly makes avian deterrence operations during oil spill response very challenging. Intrinsic knowledge of each species’ behaviour, as well as understanding the fate, behaviour and trajectory of the spilled oil is required to conduct safe and effective deterrence activities. Conversely, conducting deterrence operations without these considerations could result in injury or mortality if birds perceive deterrence operations as a threat and respond by dispersing towards the oil. In 2021, during the M/V Schiedyk shipwreck response near Bligh Island / Zuciarte Channel in Nootka Sound, BC, Canada, more than 35,000 birds of 92 species were observed. These included regular occurrences of Marbled Murrelet, and Western Grebe, both listed on Schedule 1 of the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA). Given the circumstances of the spill, marine birds were at risk of interacting with a continuous release of stored marine diesel and bunker fuel over a six-month response period. In order to manage the risks imposed to SARA-listed marine birds a three-pronged approach to avian deterrence was implemented over the response period. This includes: 1. Novel deterrence technique, based on individual and raft behavior, involving directed vessel movement; 2. The use of oil-on-water observations and drifter buoys to enhance oil trajectory modeling in relation to marine bird population risk assessments; and, 3. Prop-wash, using the vessel propeller energy to shear the oil slick into thinner layers and small oil droplets, accelerating oil weathering processes. The authors will provide an overview of the incident, discusses the challenges encountered, and share lessons learned for discussion and application in similar oil spill events in order to reduce impacts to marine diving birds.
Event Type
Paper
TimeWednesday, May 15th8:00am - 8:20am CDT
Location278-280
Remediation