Would be good if anyone can give or source advice on this, regarding safety of spending lots of time swimming around in this stuff, and of potential risks from consuming seafood that may be contaminated.
Have pasted below a message containing some advice as well as a link to an on line petition. In addition to sea birds, spider crabs and dog fish that have already washed up, I've just heard that today that Cuttlefish are washing up on Seaton (cornwall) beach. I'm not sure how much effect these online petitions have, but it all helps I hope.
Dear CoaSTies in Cornwall....
Important message from Cornwall Wildlife Trust about the current sea bird tragedy unfolding on our beaches:
Dear Volunteers and colleagues
Sea birds are continuing to be washed up on our beaches - Estimates are extremely difficult to come to but we are now looking at a huge number, possibly as many as 1000 birds, possibly more. The sticky substance known as polyisobutylene is thought to be responsible although it is possible other chemicals could be involved..
I have just spoken to Mark Grantham of British Trust for Ornithology who was keen to post mortem as many as possible of the birds that have been washed ashore dead. The sheer numbers that are being stranded means that postmorteming all the birds is no longer going to be possible. In the East Cornwall Area CORY have been collecting dead birds from beaches and recording how many they are finding on each beach. This is essential work and we are really grateful that they are doing so. I have been informed that although they are officially only contracted to collect from council owned beaches they will endeavour to collect dead birds from all beaches between the Rame Peninsula and St Austell which is great news.
If you find dead birds please remove them from the beaches and bag them up, as leaving them there means that there is increased likely hood of scavenging animals getting affected by the chemicals. Important - when handling the animals always wear protective gloves to protect you from the chemicals and bacteria that will naturally be found on decomposing animals. Wash your hands and clothes carefully after handling animals.
Bag up the birds and leave in a prominent place near to a road and notify Cornwall Council Environment Department on 03001234202 or CORY Environmental on 03001234141
Please also don't forget to continue to log the birds you find by contacting the CWT Strandings Hotline on 08452012626 - Stating number of each species found and if possible photograph any ringed birds so that the ring numbers can be clearly seen in the photos. Also note down where they were found and at what time.
What is also alarming is that other sea creatures are also being found - spider crabs, cuttlefish, dogfish in relatively small numbers at present but please bear this in mind if you are out looking - and report all strandings.
Important - if you haven't done so already please sign the following online petition
Save our Sea Birds!! Stop dumping*PIB and other harmful chemicals*into our seas!
Matt Slater
Marine Awareness Officer
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Tel: (01872) 240777 ext 214
Email:
matt.slater@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Website:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust | Living Seas | Your Shore & VMCAs
Address: Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ (Registered office)
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has over 14,000 members who are protecting Cornwall's wildlife for the future, you can join us today at
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