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No Second Chance This 12 minute 1997 video gives a description of the oiling of seabirds problem and what the Government of Canada is doing about it. Written transcript also available. Silent Disaster This 12 minute 2002 video focuses on the size of the problem by describing in detail how a study was conducted that concluded that an average of 300,000 seabirds a year die off the coast of Newfoundland because of oil pollution. It also gives a brief general description of the problem and what the Government of Canada is doing about it. Written transcript also available.

A Chronic But Mostly Hidden Problem

Chronic oil pollution coming from ships traveling off Canada's coasts causes the death of hundreds of thousands of seabirds every year. An estimated 300,000 birds are killed every year off of Newfoundland's coast, and at least equivalent numbers may be dying annually on the Pacific coast, because of this illegal pollution.

Marine waters off of Canada's coasts are some of the most important places for seabirds in the world. There are tens of millions of seabirds in Canada's marine waters at all times of the year. They are attracted there by the abundant food sources and ideal breeding conditions. About 15 species of seabirds are common on the east coast and about 11 species are common on the west coast.

All of the species present on both coasts are migratory species some of which travel great distances each year from the southern oceans or across the northern oceans. As well there are occasional visitors which are rare species from other oceans of the world.

Most of the seabirds off the east coast live in waters that are criss-crossed by the busiest shipping lanes in North America largely due to the ship traffic with Europe, as well as fishing vessels at work in Canada's abundant fishing grounds. Unfortunately the owners, captains and crews of some of these ships knowingly allow the dumping of oily ship wastes into the ocean where they harm the seabirds and other marine animals.

Oil does not mix with water, but it is readily absorbed into birds' feathers. When that happens it decreases the birds' insulation from the cold, as well as their waterproofing and buoyancy. This inevitably leads to their death by hypothermia or starvation. Just one spot of oil can do this, and therefore an oiled bird becomes a dead bird.

On the east coast, and particularly in Newfoundland, a small percentage of the dying or dead oiled birds wash ashore. Therefore people have been aware of the problem there for many years. On the west coast this is still a hidden and practically unknown problem. Because of the wind, tide and ocean currents, most birds that become oiled from the vessels' wastes sink at sea long before they can wash ashore.

What the Government of Canada is Doing About the Problem

For years two Government of Canada departments have been enforcing federal legislation to charge and fine offenders for polluting our coastal marine environment.

Environment Canada uses provisions of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and the Fisheries Act. Transport Canada uses provisions of the Canada Shipping Act. In addition the Canadian Coast Guard supports the government departments in responding to marine pollution incidents.

Working closely with Justice Canada, these departments have successfully prosecuted ships, ships' owners, captains and crews that have illegally dumped oil in Canada's waters.

For More Information

• News Release - May 19, 2005: Legislation to Protect Canada’s Marine Environments From Polluters Receives Royal Assent
• The Impact of Oil at Sea on Seabirds in Atlantic Canada.
• Oil Pollution and Birds, a Hinterland's Who's Who fact sheet.
• Oil Spills: Cleaning Up the Mess (January 2005)