A public safety notice concerning oiled birds has been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada after a report of a light oil sheen off the coast of Fogo Island today, Dec. 12.
Members of the public who come across any oil sheen or oiled birds are asked to report them through the environmental emergency line at 1-800-563-9089.
The public should not approach or handle live oiled birds as doing so may cause further harm.
As the migratory bird hunting season is currently underway, hunters are reminded that any harvested birds that are oiled should not be consumed.
The Migratory Birds Regulations require that all harvested birds, regardless of oiling, must be recovered and included in the daily bag limit. However, once birds have been delivered to a drop-off location, they no longer count in the hunter's possession limit.
It is also important to ensure that any harvested oiled birds are disposed of properly.
Birds should be individually placed into a generic plastic bag and labeled with the date and location where the bird was harvested.
They can be dropped off at the following locations for proper disposal:
Fogo Island Conservation and Protection Office
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
18 Iceberg Arena Road, Joe Batt's Arm
Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
709-266-2722
Twillingate Conservation and Protection Office
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
40 Toulinquet Street
Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador
709-884-2411
Glovertown Conservation and Protection Office
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
332-340 Main Street
Glovertown, Newfoundland and Labrador
709-533-6080
Bonavista Conservation and Protection Office
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
232 Confederation Drive
Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador
709-468-7470
Clarenville Conservation and Protection Office
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
55 Thompson Street
Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
709-466-8272
