‘Human error’ caused Grieg oil spill

Up to 8,000 litres are reported to have escaped at Esperanza Inlet in the province, it has been confirmed.

According to reports, the spill was caused by "human error during fuel transfer" on a floating concrete platform on Saturday 14 December. The incident was reported to the Environmental Emergency Branch the same day.

Aerial and ground surveillance has now shown a visible sheen to the north and west toward Centre Island from the spill site, with smaller patches observed to the south and east toward Steamer Point, said the report.

The BC government said in a report on its website that the spill happened at the Grieg Seafood fish farm near Zeballos, on the northwest side of Vancouver Island.

Two days following the incident, according to the BC government’s update, crews from Greig Seafood were on the water conducting assessments and attempting mitigative measures, but no recoverable fuel was reported. The Canadian Coast Guard dispatched a patrol vessel to the area and reported no sightings of fuel. The government also said the company has placed an absorbent boom around the spill site.

A visible sheen has been reported north and west of the spill site, however, and the Coast Guard has sent out an advisory to other mariners to avoid the area of the spill.

The government said it is co-ordinating the clean-up with Grieg Seafood, the group Strategic Natural Resources Consultants, leaders in the villages of Zeballos and Tahsis, and the Ehattesaht and Nuchatlaht First Nations.