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Topic: BirdLife: Prestige oil spill -press release 21 Nov (Read 1064 times) |
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HKBWS Office
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BirdLife: Prestige oil spill -press release 21 Nov
« on: Nov 21st, 2002, 8:24pm » |
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Ming Pao Daily has a 1/4 page article which reports sea birds affected by the oil spill incident
http://full.mingpaonews.com/20021121/taa5r.htm
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Latest data on oiled seabirds from the Prestige oil spill
Cambridge, UK, 21st November 2002 -- Latest official data from wildlife recovery centres in Galicia, Spain, show that 143 oiled seabirds have been collected and sent for cleaning, the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO/BirdLife) reports today. This is in addition to 250 seabirds recorded oiled on the coast by SEO/BirdLife volunteers in recent days. The most affected species are Razorbill, Northern Gannet and Guillemot [1,2,3].
BirdLife International is concerned by the discovery of oiled Guillemots because the relict Iberian population of this specie numbers fewer than 100 breeding pairs with only two tiny colonies of 12 pairs in Spain in the area of Galicia affected by the Prestige oil spill: Vilano Cape and Sisargas Islands, on the Costa da Morte, both of which are protected as part of the European Union's (EU) Natura 2000 network.
The global bird conservation organisation is also concerned about the relatively high numbers of oiled Razorbills and Gannets found. Both species winter in the area and come from breeding colonies in the British Isles and Northern France. Given that they mainly feed on fish, pollution from the Prestige oil spill could also affect their food supplies.
Today SEO/BirdLife staff will attempt to go to sea to evaluate the impact of the oil slick on pelagic seabirds.
Photos related to this release are avilable for one-off media use at: http://www.birdlife.net/news/thumbnails.cfm?NewType=P&NewRecID=730
For more information contact BirdLife International Communications Manager Michael Szabo in Cambridge, UK, on +44 (0)1223 279903 or +44 (0)7779 018 332 (mobile) or SEO/BirdLife Conservation Officer, Carlota Viada in La Coruna, Spain, on +34 629 448822 (mobile) or Antonio Sandoval of SEO/BirdLife on +34 617 003232.
Notes for Editors:
1. BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation organisations working in more than 100 countries who, together, are the leading authority on the status of birds, their habitats and the issues and problems affecting bird life. The BirdLife Partnership is represented in Europe by 40 organisations working together on The BirdLife International European Programme to conserve birds across the region, and includes the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO/BirdLife), RSPB in the UK, LPO in France and SPEA in Portugal.
2. Birds recorded between 16th-19th November were: Razorbill (80), Gannet (41), Guillemot (8 ), Shag (6), Common Scoter (4), Fulmar (1), Puffin (1), Kingfisher (1) and Grey Heron (1).
3. Birds that dive underwater or swim on the surface are particularly vulnerable to oil slicks. Seabirds are most vulnerable during breeding, over-wintering or the moulting seasons when they tend to congregate in large numbers on or close to the sea. Oil destroys the waterproofing properties of feathers. Once wet, oiled birds often succumb to hypothermia. Water-logged feathers are heavy, making flight difficult or impossible, and reduced buoyancy can lead to drowning. Birds often ingest oil while preening which results in poisoning.
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| « Last Edit: Nov 21st, 2002, 11:25pm by HKBWS Office » |
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HKBWS Office
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BirdLife: BBC Story on Prestige oil spill - 21 Nov
« Reply #1 on: Nov 22nd, 2002, 10:14am » |
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For members information:
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Attn Partners, Partners Designate, Affiliates and Secretariat staff
The latest news from the BBC on the oil spill is not good - a seond oil spill has started to come ashore in Spain:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2497341.stm
That's all for now
Michael Szabo
Communications Manager
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HKBWS Office
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BirdLife: First Balearic Shearwater found oiled
« Reply #2 on: Nov 23rd, 2002, 11:58pm » |
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Please find attached updated information about the "Prestige" oil spill from BirdLife International
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Attn Partners, Partners Designate, Affiliates and Secretariat Staff
Attached is news that the first critically endangered Balearic Shearwater has been found oiled by the "Prestige" spill.
Fyi, latest BBC news can be viewed at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2501509.stm
That's all for now - another press release will follow soon.
Michael Szabo
Communications Manager
BirdLife International
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| « Last Edit: Nov 23rd, 2002, 11:59pm by HKBWS Office » |
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More from BirdLife: BBC news
« Reply #3 on: Nov 24th, 2002, 12:01am » |
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For members information:
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Attn Partners, Partners Designate, Affiliates and Secretariat Staff
The press releases sent earlier today have been picked up by the BBC at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2504151.stm
SEO/BirdLife are holding a press conference in La Coruna tomorrow and will be putting out more press releases over the weekend.
That's all for now
Michael Szabo
Communications Manager
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| « Last Edit: Nov 24th, 2002, 12:01am by HKBWS Office » |
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