2009 - Page 4 of 4

Spill in Ireland

April 2, 2009

On 14^th February, an estimated 500-1000 tonnes of oil spilled out into the Celtic Sea, close to where the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was refuelling, threatening the Irish and Welsh coastlines. The Irish Marine Department described the spill as the biggest spill to hit the area in a decade. Although no oiled birds were found washed up on the shorelines, mainly because the spill occurred so far off shore, experts believe that seabirds must have been affected as high densities of wintering birds are normally found in the area.

Call for Proposals: Oiled Wildlife Care Network

April 2, 2009

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) sponsors up to US$ 250,000 per year in support of research necessary for improving oiled wildlife spill response and the understanding of the short- and long-term effects of oil on wildlife. The OWCN is currently seeking research proposals from wildlife professionals interested in furthering OWCN goals.

Interesting Web Links

April 2, 2009

In an insightful podcast interview, Jay Holcomb, the Executive Director of the International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC), gives a touching account of his involvement in the six-month long response effort in the wake of the Exxon Valdez disaster, which occurred on 24^th March 1989 and ultimately killed more than 300,000 seabirds.

Sea Alarm in the Press

April 2, 2009

Sea Alarm published an article in the Spring 2009 edition of the Cleaner Seas magazine, which outlines how an international wildlife response operates, which challenges could arise and the way forward.

Sea Alarm was also featured in the New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre’s Newsletter (Issue 2) in March 2009.