For the last three years we have cruised north to the beautiful Broughton Archipelago near the north end of Vancouver Island. This AM I read of a disaster:
Diesel spill at the Burdwood fish farm has contaminated most of the Broughton Archipelago including many traditional clam beaches, during the ecologically critical herring spawn. Smell of diesel was strong throughout the area, even in the helicopter at 4000 ft altitude. It seems obvious there is much more fuel spilled than the 1500 liters they are reporting (3000 originally). Footage & pictures coordinated by the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw.
One of our favorite places, Pierre’s at Echo Bay, is located just adjacent to the spill!
Chief Bob Chamberlin — who lives on nearby Gilford Island — said the sheen was visible “well beyond” the fish farm.
He said his First Nation is concerned about possible damage to nearby clam beds.
Thanks so much for your concern. Stephen, we are alright. As horrid as it is for the spill to be hovering around our beloved Burdwoods – and as devastating as it is for our population to have the clams drenched in Diesel, the spill is smaller than was first thought. However, it is more far reaching than first thought too. It is not ‘contained’ adequately. There are “experts” in our area who are making their own observations and assessments that are far less pretty than what our news organizations are reporting; far less pretty than what the fish farm owners (Cermaq) are saying. Check out Alexandra Morton on fb, Tania Dick on fb I see you’ve posted the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw point of view through CoastCast . That’s a heartfelt one. We have some very good Members of Parliament like Rachel Blaney, our MP in Ottawa, who are keeping the fire to the feet of Minister Leblanc regarding the Cermaq fish farm oil spill There are local residents like Yvonne Maximchuk who wrote on fb March 6th: “Update on the diesel spill at the Burdwood fish farm site. So the unfortunate individual who made the awful mistake of leaving open a fuel line is most likely horrendously mortified. I went out and cruised the shoreline today, I tasted kelp in several places and examined the white shell beach at the midden, again tasting and watching for the telltale sheen. I did not see any diesel at the beach where I did yesterday. I did not observe a single bird that appeared to be at risk. Closer to the farm I saw and spoke with two Coast Guard fellows who were basically doing the same thing I was ( although not tasting!) checking out beaches. Nearer the farm there is still a thin sheen of fuel, apparently they have deployed booms although you will not see the long white lines you may have seen on tv in other fuel spill sites. There is a pretty stiff breeze coming out of Tribune Channel and it seems most of the remaining sheen is dissipating with wind and tides. Probably will be some overhead footage which will show a lot more than I was able to cover. Two helicopters, three amhibious aircraft, CG vessel Cape Calvert, CG zodiac, First Nations, locals and the farm crew are all doing their best to make sure there are as few impacts as possible. I do not know if this was biodiesel, (Evan) however if it was it would be a mix of diesel and biodiesel, (probably a good thing) there is a good website, biodiesel.com.” Another entry by Yvonne: “Its confirmed now 600 litres of biodiesel, mostly contained and sopped up or dispersed. I went around the beach and elsewhere tasting kelp, only found a thin sheen in one spot near the farm. The beach looks fine. And today Biggs orca transited the area, Cramer Pass towards Tribune Channel. Hm..” Bottom line, we don’t know the ultimate ramifications yet – We do know that there are in-adequate spill cleanup measures. Our Canadian government claims proudly to have excellent response measures. They don’t. This was a relatively small spill, but it was a wakeup call; another one that is. The big one’s coming, no doubt… The supervisor of the “Western Canada Marine Response Corporation” asked Pierre if we have accommodation for their responders, so evidently, they still plan to do more mopping up in our area. (We are already booked up with tree planters at this time – so we don’t have accommodation.) As for in the specific area of Echo Bay, like right in the actual Echo Bay, Pierre has observed no fuel in our area. I posted a lot on the fuel spill, but have now deleted them all – except the CoastCast one – thousands of people have been informed and read and shared. The powers that be have been served notice. Now its time for us (Pierre & I) to move on…Summer’s coming. I hope, however, that our news media picks up the CoastCast/Twyla Roscovich/ Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw video . I feel that its quieted down too quickly and it is now swept under the rug. Cheerio Stephen. Hi to Barb. Tove
“The Burdwood area is a very sensitive area, which has the majority of clam beds that our people rely on,” he said. “Any impact to our traditional food sources is a critical hit to our people.”
For press inquires please contact Bob Chamberlin, Elected Chief, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis, at 778 988 9282 [email protected]
Some mainstream news has been erroneously reporting the spill was contained and small. The Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw are doing their own ground truthing and documentation.
Video coordinated by the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw. For press inquires please contact Bob Chamberlin, Elected Chief, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis at (250) 974-8282 or [email protected].
In order of appearance: Mike Willie Owner/Operator Sea Wolf Adventures, Sherry Moon, Charlie Thomas Williams, & Tamara Alfred.
Camera & Editing: Twyla Roscovich