http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/ Devon Wildlife News Feed, latest 20 items Thu, 23 May 2013 06:21:52 +0000 en http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/17/Channel+Islands+in+new+PIB+incident'3F/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/17/Channel+Islands+in+new+PIB+incident'3F/ Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Alderney Wildlife Trust have been receiving reports of guillemots and razorbills covered in a waxy substance, unable to fly and in distress in the seas off the island. Other eyewitnesses have spoken of a slick being seen in the sea nearby.


Staff at the Trust are now wo[...]]]>

Alderney Wildlife Trust have been receiving reports of guillemots and razorbills covered in a waxy substance, unable to fly and in distress in the seas off the island. Other eyewitnesses have spoken of a slick being seen in the sea nearby.


Staff at the Trust are now working hard to confirm the extent of the problem and the location of the slick.


If confirmed, this would be the third PIB related incident since February. After the last incident in April The Wildlife Trusts joined forces with RSPB and RSPCA asking for action from Government and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.






]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/13/NGOS+AND+SHIPPING+INDUSTRY+MAKE+GROUND-BREAKING+JOINT+CALL+FOR+REVIEW+OF+LEGAL+DISCHARGE+STATUS+OF+PIB/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/13/NGOS+AND+SHIPPING+INDUSTRY+MAKE+GROUND-BREAKING+JOINT+CALL+FOR+REVIEW+OF+LEGAL+DISCHARGE+STATUS+OF+PIB/ Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000


The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is currently investigatin[...]]]>


The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is currently investigating the cause and culprit of these incidents. If it is confirmed that this disaster was the result of illegal activity, the UK Government and the International Maritime Organisation should ensure there is no obstacle to prevent those responsible from being brought to justice. To date, however, no-one has been successfully prosecuted for illegally discharging PIB from ships in European waters.
Although not directly toxic to seabirds, polyisobutene becomes sticky when it comes into contact with seawater, coating the plumage of seabirds, restricting their movements and preventing them from feeding.



Currently, it is legal to discharge PIB in small quantities, based on certain conditions as set out by the international MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships). However, the impacts of PIB on marine ecosystems, as well as the amount of PIB released routinely as part of legal shipping operations, are not well known or understood.



Alec Taylor, marine policy officer for the RSPB, said: “The needless deaths of thousands of seabirds on our beaches has sickened and angered many people. With support from the shipping industry, we’re hoping that the UK Government can push for tighter regulations preventing the discharge of PIB into the sea for good.”



Pollution programme manager at the Marine Conservation Society, Dr Robert Keirle, said: “The International Maritime Organisation meeting this week must reclassify PIB as soon as possible under the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Shipping.”
David Balston, director of safety and environment at the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “Although no regulation can eliminate the possibility of illegal activity, we strongly support an urgent review to see how best to help prevent a recurrence of the recent deaths and injury to wildlife.”



Adam Grogan is a senior scientist with the RSPCA. He said: “It is fantastic that so many organisations are joining forces to campaign on this issue - it sends a clear message that something has to change and the discharge of this lethal substance must be banned.



“This had been one of the worst cases of marine pollution in recent memory – over 4,000 birds have suffered or died. Our staff have been working round the clock to try and help the casualties which could be saved, but many more washed up along our beaches were already dead.”



Joan Edwards is the head of The Wildlife Trusts’ Living Seas Programme. She said: “The marine wildlife around our shores is internationally important, but sadly it faces many threats. I have seen the carnage on the beaches and removing the pollution threat of this devastating substance is an easy win in the ongoing battle to safeguard the future of our marine environment.”



This call to action also comes at the start of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)’s latest meeting of its environmental subcommittee, the group that would ultimately agree to a reclassification of PIB under the MARPOL Convention, should one or more member governments present a case.



ends

]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/09/DWT+welcomes+four-legged+staff+member/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/09/DWT+welcomes+four-legged+staff+member/ Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/03/Chance+to+explore+new+Dartmoor+nature+reserve/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/03/Chance+to+explore+new+Dartmoor+nature+reserve/ Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/02/Your+views+needed+on+plans+for+Plym+Valley/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/02/Your+views+needed+on+plans+for+Plym+Valley/ Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000
The partnership intends to submit a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding to deliver enhancement projects. You can help support this bid by telling us how you currently use the valley, what you enjoy about the existing features and where you think things can be improved.

The Plym Valley Connections Consultation Map is now live and open for comments here.

]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/02/One+of+the+worst+UK+marine+pollution+incidents+in+decades/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/05/02/One+of+the+worst+UK+marine+pollution+incidents+in+decades/ Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/30/Festival+success/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/30/Festival+success/ Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/24/Sign+the+petitions+to+stop+the+dumping+of+PIB+at+sea/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/24/Sign+the+petitions+to+stop+the+dumping+of+PIB+at+sea/ Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/19/Over+1'2C000+seabirds+now+feared+dead/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/19/Over+1'2C000+seabirds+now+feared+dead/ Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 • Public calling wildlife charities “in droves”
• Call for people to make their voices heard



A week after the first repots of birds covered in a sticky glue like substance being washed
up on southwest beaches, wildlife charities have today confirmed that the number of dead
has passed 1000. This is in addition to the 200+ birds in the care[...]]]> • Public calling wildlife charities “in droves”
• Call for people to make their voices heard



A week after the first repots of birds covered in a sticky glue like substance being washed
up on southwest beaches, wildlife charities have today confirmed that the number of dead
has passed 1000. This is in addition to the 200+ birds in the care of RSPCA and South
Devon Seabird Trust.



The substance has been identified as polyisobutene (PIB) by researchers at Plymouth
University. It is the second time in just three months that PIB has killed hundreds of
seabirds in the South West.



In this latest incident birds have been found in a wide area from Dodman Point to the Teign
Estuary but the worst hit areas have been beaches along Whitsand Bay in south east
Cornwall where locals have been counting hundreds of birds every day.



Alison Fogg, zoologist and environment campaigner who lives by the sea near Lanteglos
in Cornwall has been close to the unfolding disaster; “It is hard to sum up so many
different emotions, from the last few days, in a few words ...



“Seeing over 157 dead birds on Lansallos beach, followed by hundreds more at Lantic
Bay, was quite devastating. Lansallos is a small sheltered beach on the South Coast of
Cornwall. A haven for nature and totally unspoilt, this beach is popular with holiday
makers, walkers and locals for swimming and relaxation.



“The scale of destruction to wildlife, in the height of the bird breeding season and at the
start of the tourist season is quite difficult to comprehend.”



It is not known whether the substance got into the sea as a spill from a ship or as part of
legal and routine tank washing operations.



Tony Whitehead from RSPB said; “The devastation this substance has caused has been
appalling. To see the images of beaches strewn with bodies is a sobering reminder that we
just cannot go on treating our precious marine environment as a dustbin.



“If this was an illegal spill, we need to support the Marine and Coastguard Agency in
tracking down the ship responsible. Although this will be difficult, surely itʼs not impossible.
“If this was the result of legal tank washing operations, we need to urge the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) to tighten up the rules and make it illegal to wash this stuff
into the sea. Itʼs a noxious substance and we donʼt want it in our marine environment.”



Abby Crosby, Marine Conservation officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust; said; “The public
have been calling our Hotline in droves and our brilliant strandings volunteers have been
sending in their reports but, as dead birds may continue to wash up, we need to keep on
recording.”



Harry Barton, Chief Executive of Devon Wildlife Trust said; "This is an absolute tragedy for
wildlife, but it is bad for all of us too. Our region is famous for its stunning natural
environment and clean beaches, and that is why we have such a successful tourist
industry. The prospect of wading through piles of dead birds on the shore is hardly the
advertisement we want. This is the clearest possible sign that our economy depends on a
healthy natural environment. Pollution incidents like this can be prevented if the political
will is there to do so. We must act quickly and decisively to stop this happening a third
time."



Marc Smith, Chesil Centre Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust and one of the first on the scene
at the similar incident in February this year on Dorsetʼs beaches, said: “It was heartbreaking
the first time around, seeing hundreds of birds washing up dead or helpless
along our shore. Knowing this was preventable made the whole thing really stick in your
throat. Now it is happening again only two months down the line. We need to stop the legal
discharge of PIB into our seas. Itʼs as simple as that.”



The Wildlife Trusts, RSPCA and RSPB have this week written to shipping minister
Stephen Hammond calling on Government to urgently raise the issue of PIB in the marine
environment with the IMO and call on them to urgently review the hazard classification of
PIB, and implement regulations that prevent its discharge into the sea.



Tony Whitehead from RSPB added; “People care about marine wildlife. Weʼve had
hundreds of messages expressing concern via Facebook and Twitter. And a number of
MPs in constituencies touched by this disaster have called for action. We need everyone
who is appalled by this to make their voice heard.”



Members of the public wishing to add their voice to calls for the discharge of PIB into the
sea to be banned can sign the 38 Degrees petition or the Avaaz petition and contact their
own MP and ask them to raise the issue with the minister responsible.



]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/19/Help+survey+your+nearest+beach+for+seabirds/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/19/Help+survey+your+nearest+beach+for+seabirds/ Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/15/Many+more+stricken+seabirds+found+on+south+coast+beaches/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/15/Many+more+stricken+seabirds+found+on+south+coast+beaches/ Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

After five days of reports of birds being found covered in a sticky, oily substance, the area affected seems to have widened. Meanwhile the proportion of dead birds among those washed up has increased.




After five days of reports of birds being found covered in a sticky, oily substance, the area affected seems to have widened. Meanwhile the proportion of dead birds among those washed up has increased.


Locals and visitors alike spotted hundreds of stricken seabirds on beaches around Looe at the weekend. At Wembury Marine Centre near Plymouth, Devon Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers discovered twenty dead guillemots on the small beach there on Sunday.


Cat Andrews, Wembury Marine Centre’s warden said: "We were expecting to find only dead birds now, after seeing so many on the beach yesterday. But this morning, someone has brought a live guillemot into the Centre. It’s so distressing to see a living creature in such a terrible state, especially as there are no facilities here to ease its suffering." Thirty dead birds were found at Wembury on Monday morning, including one puffin.


The substance itself is though to be the same material that killed so many seabirds off the south coast in February. It could even be material from the same ship, affecting the coast once more due to a change in wind direction, as the substance does not disperse in the water easily.


Both incidents highlight the threats faced by the UK’s marine wildlife, which is partly a problem of being ‘out of sight, out of mind’. DWT’s Marine Conservation Officer, Richard White, commented: "If a similar event occurred on land, people from all walks of life would be horrified by the devastation caused to the countryside and the polluters would be named and shamed. Because the marine environment is unseen by most, the only way to give marine wildlife any protection is through effective legislation."


Anyone who still finds a live bird covered in the oily substance should phone the RSPCA helpline on 0300 1234999.

]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/11/Exeter+Schools+'26+Communities+Invited+to+'27Plant+Your+Park'27/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/11/Exeter+Schools+'26+Communities+Invited+to+'27Plant+Your+Park'27/ Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/11/Wildlife+to+'27invade'27+Plymouth+City+Centre/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/04/11/Wildlife+to+'27invade'27+Plymouth+City+Centre/ Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/27/Wembury+opens+for+the+season/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/27/Wembury+opens+for+the+season/ Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/27/Wild+summer+for+kids+promised/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/27/Wild+summer+for+kids+promised/ Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/25/Company+adds+power+to+local+bees/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/25/Company+adds+power+to+local+bees/ Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/25/Northern+Devon+NIA+latest/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/25/Northern+Devon+NIA+latest/ Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/21/'27Soup-er'27+support+for+Bee+Campaign/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/03/21/'27Soup-er'27+support+for+Bee+Campaign/ Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000
Totnes-based, Tideford Organics is putting its support behind DWT's ‘Get Devon Buzzing’ bumblebee campaign in 2013. The company is donating 10p from every sale of their 600g packs of pea and mint soup. Funds raised will go to help DWT’s work for the county’s bumblebees.
[...]]]>
Totnes-based, Tideford Organics is putting its support behind DWT's ‘Get Devon Buzzing’ bumblebee campaign in 2013. The company is donating 10p from every sale of their 600g packs of pea and mint soup. Funds raised will go to help DWT’s work for the county’s bumblebees.
]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/01/31/Mystery+of+'27tree+frogspawn'27+solved/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/01/31/Mystery+of+'27tree+frogspawn'27+solved/ Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/01/29/Huge+Wildlife+Haven+to+be+Created+at+Meeth/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2013/01/29/Huge+Wildlife+Haven+to+be+Created+at+Meeth/ Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000