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On August 20th, 2007 a barge travelling just outside of an ecological reserve in the Johnstone Strait capsized spilling its load of logging equipment including a diesel tank carrying up to 10,000 L of diesel fuel into the Strait at the northern end of Vancouver Island.

On October 19th, two months after the August 20th oil spill in Robson Bight, Canada's federal & provincial governments finally agreed to conduct an underwater investigation of the spill site, and to share the costs involved. The investigation was delayed due to weather conditions, but was completed in December, 2007.

However, by March, 2008, none of the governments involved had launched a clean up of the spill site, despite video evidence that the trucks were still intact, and potentially full of toxic diesel fuel at the bottom of the Strait. This is a extremely urgent issue, as the orcas will be returning to use the area in June and July; if the tanker is not removed before the orcas arrive, it would be considered too risky to perform until after they leave in the fall.

Finally, British Columbia’s Environment Minister Barry Penner announced on April 18, 2008 that Canada’s federal government will cooperate with the province in removing the diesel fuel tanker now lying underwater in the Ecological Reserve at Robson Bight. Though no definite timing was stated, subsequent comments by Minister Penner clearly indicated that officials are aware that the northern resident orcas are expected to return by early summer.

BC Govt News Release: GOVERNMENTS PLAN TO SALVAGE ROBSON BIGHT WRECKAGE

The Toronto Regional Conservation Authority is currently investigating management options for the Double Crested Cormorant colony at Tommy Thompson Park (more commonly known as the Leslie St Spit).

The Black Crested Cormorant population in Ontario was originally documented in the early twentieth century; however, this bird easily succumbed to the increasing industrial pollution in the great lakes, and was devastated by DDT use until its ban allowed the birds to recover. It is unfortunate that instead of celebrating the recovery of this species as a success, now that they are abundant, they are considered to be pests.

Management techniques currently being considered are: do nothing, deterrence, habitat improvements and egg oiling.

The Humane Society of Canada participated in the public meetings held in early April, 2008 in the eastend of Toronto. To read our submission, please click here.