Fears Bass Rock Birds Will Be Oil Spill Victims

By NO BYLINE

A WILDLIFE expert has warned that an oil spill in the English Channel could have disastrous effects on birds migrating to the Bass Rock.

Dr Bryan Nelson, the world’s leading gannet scientist, said repercussions from the recent Napoli tanker spill would be felt as far as the Firth of Forth island.

He said: “The spill occurred on one of their main migration routes, as they return to Scotland from wintering grounds in the Mediterranean and North Africa.”

The accident saw 200 tonnes of oil pour into the sea. However, bird and marine life experts have warned that the spill would prove to be a “drop in the ocean” compared to the potential wildlife hazards of the proposed ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Forth.

They have claimed the transfers, which Forth Ports say are safe, could “seriously deplete” whale, seal and bird populations if there is a major oil spill.

MSPs meet today to consider the scheme. Holyrood’s environment and rural development committee were considering a petition to oppose the scheme.

(c) 2007 Evening News; Edinburgh (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.