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Fuel spills into Frobisher Bay

Canadian Coast Guard, DIAND team search for source of contaminants

Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 01/01) - A kilometre-wide fuel spill that appeared Sept. 25 in Frobisher Bay is under investigation.

Canadian Coast Guard officials questioned operators of two barge-like vessels anchored in the bay last week, said Lawrence Swift, communications officer for the Coast Guard.

"They said they had no knowledge of any spills or leaking," Swift said.

Water samples taken from the area confirmed traces of "some sort of fuel." However, without a known source, the incident is classified as a "mystery spill," Swift said.

What exactly spilled and how much found its way into the bay are not yet known.

"I'm told it was a very thin layer," Swift said.

The spill's impact on marine life has been considered.

"The presence of wildlife was not observed, leading us to believe the impact was minimal or non-existent," Swift said.

The contaminated water was no longer visible late last week, Swift said.

Officials were considering comparing the samples of contaminated seawater with fuel samples from the visiting ships. A match could lead to charges under the Fisheries Act.

Site investigators said they believe the spill occurred 10 kilometres from Iqaluit on or around Sept. 25, but referred requests for more information to Swift, who is based in southern Ontario.

Those who saw the spill had little trouble identifying it as a environmental problem.

Chris Lloyd said he was crossing the bay around supper time when he noticed hundreds of seals spread out in the water. Upon closer examination, the water had an orange-purple tint.

"You could obviously smell something -- a diesel fuel smell. But it was getting dark and I couldn't see how far it went," Lloyd said. "I can't say I've ever seen anything like it."

He reported his concerns to the city's fire department.

His description matches the one filed by a First Air pilot. The pilot was flying into Iqaluit around 3 p.m. Sept. 25 when he noticed what appeared to be a kilometre-long patch of discoloured water. He notified the territorial spills line.

The pilot's observations are in the hands of various government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Branch of the territorial Department of Sustainable Development and the city of Iqaluit.

The Coast Guard's investigation, in partnership with federal officials with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, was continuing late last week.