North Sea oil tanker collision – a huge threat to communities, business and wildlife

CPRE North and Easy Yorkshire deeply concerned over the North Sea oil tanker collision – a huge threat to communities, business and wildlife

Following the shocking collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday 10^th March, resulting in fires aboard both vessels, CPRENEY are deeply concerned about the potential hazardous threat to residents, businesses and wildlife associated with the North Sea, the Humber Estuary and beyond.

CPRENEY’s large area of benefit stretches along the North Sea coast from the River Tees to the River Humber which include numerous protective designations for its rich ecosystems, protected species of wildlife, the natural and built environment, heritage assets including 3 Heritage Coastlines and both international and national nature sites – all of which are close to the area where the accident happened. These designations also include areas for the protection of important marine life offshore in the affected area.

CPRENEY, alongside other likeminded groups including the Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, the BTO and the Marine Conservation Society amongst others,  are deeply shocked and concerned about the potential impact that resulting pollution could have on internationally important seabird colonies, grey seals, dolphins and the wealth of other marine life such as harbour porpoise, fish and minke whale that live beneath the waves.

Oil directly impacts seabirds, coating their feathers and reducing their waterproofing and buoyancy, which can lead to drowning, or it can poison them through ingestion.

Additionally, many of the East Riding of Yorkshire communities rely on income from the tourism and fisheries industries. Our coastal towns rely heavily on seasonal visitors. Should hazardous substances, including oils and chemical releases, wash up on to our shores and beaches, there is understandable concern amongst the business communities that visitors may not choose to stay-cation in the area.

Bridlington is known as the ‘Lobster Capital of Europe’ and we are hugely concerned the seafood and shellfish industry could be seriously impacted by the tragedy not just in the town, but all along the coastal area and further south.

Wildlife and important nature areas that could be affected include:

Humber estuary: Important fish populations and 140,000 birds use the mud flats of the Humber estuary. Wilder Humber is a significant marine restoration programme in the Humber – Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are planting seagrass and restoring oysters to improve the habitat and ecosystem of this important estuary. The Humber Estuary has the highest level of international and domestic protection as a Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s renowned Spurn National Nature Reserve and Flamborough Cliffs nature reserve are nearby. Spurn Point sits within the Humber Estuary and is an internationally important stop-off for migratory birds. The reserve supports the Trust’s Wilder Humber seagrass and oyster reintroduction programme, roosting waders, and rare breeding little terns, and the surrounding sea regularly sees marine mammals such as seals and porpoises. Flamborough Cliffs forms one of Europe’s most important breeding seabird colonies, including being part of the largest mainland breeding puffin colony in the UK and the sea off Flamborough is designated as a Marine Protected Area. Both reserves provide important feeding and resting places during spring and autumn bird migrations.

Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve, is home to the UK’s largest mainland seabird colony, of national and international importance, with around half a million seabirds, including Gannets, Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins breeding there each year.  Bempton’s internationally important seabirds means it has special protection. It is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and its European importance is recognised in its designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA).

Jan Arger, CPRENEY Chair says:

“Our thoughts are with everyone immediately involved in the accident and the emergency response operation. This is obviously a very worrying incident and we’re following developments closely including waiting to see the extent of impact from pollution into the North Sea – much depends on sea currents and wind direction.

East Yorkshire’s coast is home to protected and significant colonies of seabirds including puffins, razorbills, gannets and kittiwakes. Many birds are gathering offshore on the sea ahead of the nesting season and we still have wintering waders – plus migrant birds stopping here – so we’re very worried indeed about the threat to these birds. Also, there are significant numbers of grey seals in the area, many rearing this year’s young, as well as porpoises and other cetaceans around Spurn. If pollution spillage enters the Humber, this is likely to be devasting for the wildlife of the estuary, including important fish populations and tens of thousands of overwintering and migrating birds who use the Humber mud flats. Winds are currently in a northerly direction which means the impact on the Flamborough and Bempton areas could be negligible – however, the situation could change and populations gathering on the sea could well impact the international nature reserves and those species which are already considered ‘at risk.’”