Is B.C.'s Coastline at Risk from Oil Spills?

Jocelyn Hollands

Problem

Oil spills are a real killer. Oil spills have different effects on different animals but almost always they lead to putting animals on the endangered species list. Sometimes after about 7 years these species can recover from the oil spill. But the problem is, if oil spills keep happening the animals have no time to recover.

Seals are the most vulnerable to oil spills because they are often at the surface and the oil clings onto them. When the seals are grooming or feeding the oil gets into their bodies and poisons them. They can get organ dysfunction, ingestion of oil, congested lungs, damaged airways, interstitial emphysema (inhalation of oil) and brain haemorrhages. Seals are in so much danger due to oil spills.

When sea turtles lay their eggs on sandy beaches the oil contaminates the eggs. Also if the turtle who lays the eggs has a layer of oil on their body the eggs will have oil on them when they come out of the body. Sea turtles are not in as much danger as seals but they should still be a concern.

Photo at top: www.penguin.net.nz/threats/oilspill.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.penguin.net.nz/threats/