Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
 Eric Doig |
At least one oil-covered seal was spotted 10 kilometres from Iqaluit's shores, said Alden Williams, territorial Department of Sustainable Development wildlife officer.
The spill occurred in Iqaluit's busy boating bay Sept. 25.
The seal was killed and left on a rock by an unnamed hunter, Williams said. High tides beat department officers to the mammal.
"It was gone. We really wanted to get samples but we couldn't find it," he said.
The sighting contradicts Canadian Coast Guard spokesperson Lawrence Swift.
Swift, who is based in Sarnia, Ont., said investigators did not report wildlife sightings at the scene.
Yet a Department of Fisheries and Oceans pollution report anonymously sent to News/North states, "numerous seals were spotted in the immediate area and a few within the slick."
Swift denied any coverup. He attributed the omission to a miscommunication.
The oversight irks Nunavut Emergency Services manager Eric Doig. A public advisory would have been issued had he known about the incident.
"The boating public should have been notified," Doig said, noting the potential damage to boats and wildlife. "My concern is no one knew but there were lots of people out there who could smell (fuel)," Doig said."
Swift said the spill is still classified as a "mystery" -- meaning source and responsibility are unknown.
What is known is a two-kilometre fuel patch was called into the Northwest Territories spill line on Sept. 25. A First Air pilot noted the discoloured water on an in-bound flight.
Transport Canada is now investigating the case.
Williams said wildlife or boaters are no longer at risk.
