NLIS 8
September 27, 2002
(Environment)

 

Minister Aylward meets Minister Thibault on oilspill response

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, recently met with Robert Thibault, the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), concerning oilspill prevention and response in and around Placentia Bay.

Minister Aylward said: "We had very frank discussions with the federal minister and I feel he will review the recommendations of the report on the Prevention of Oiled Wildlife and he also understands the significance of these recommendations to our province. Recommendations include: increased surveillance in the shipping lanes and area off the south and south east Newfoundland coast; increase the already good cooperation on airborne surveillance among Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and the Department of National Defence; mobilize all available technologies to increase surveillance, higher fines/penalties, accelerate the International Maritime Organization�s �Automatic Identification System� - whereby all vessels will carry a beacon and can be tracked at all times with real time information available to us; consider implementing a �no sail zone� along the south coast of the Island of Newfoundland, so that all vessels must stay 20 or 30 miles off the coast - unless they are entering Placentia Bay. In addition, DFO/CCG should commission a detailed risk analysis for accidental and/or illegal discharges in the Placentia Bay area and along the south coast of Newfoundland. Finally, we need increased education of incoming vessels through international committees and specific notification to vessels within 200 miles of ongoing surveillance for pollution.

"We will continue monitoring and follow-up with the federal minister and federal officials to ensure recommendations are dealt with. The federal minister responsible for oceans has stated publically that the problem of oil in the Placentia Bay area continues and the federal government must do more to find an acceptable solution. I will continue to push for action on the recommendations.

"Just a few days ago, the World Wildlife Federation released a report Seabirds and Atlantic Canada�s Ship Source Oil Pollution that highlights the extent of the problem in Atlantic Canada. This report also lists measures to help stop illegal dumping. I endorse the actions and the recommendations of the WWF concerning this important matter and feel this report will help to re-enforce the significance of oilspill prevention and response."

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-2575.

2002 09 27                                       2:05 p.m.


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