A fuel spill in Sechelt Inlet is small and will evaporate on its own, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada.
DFO was alerted after a rainbow sheen was discovered in Sechelt Inlet near the Lighthouse Pub and MacKenzie’s Marina on Monday, Dec. 5.
DFO communications advisor Michelle Imbeau said the department sent out a National Aerial Surveillance Program aircraft to get a bird’s eye view of the issue on Dec. 6.
“There was still some visible sheen trapped in the brackish sea ice near shore from an unknown source. The sheen covered a somewhat large area; however, the estimate of volume was about 0.5 litres,” Imbeau said.
“The sheen is considered non-recoverable and is expected to dissipate. This matter is considered closed.”
After more calls to DFO from concerned residents who disagreed with the department’s estimation of 0.5 litre due to the size of the sheen and the smell of diesel on the water, Imbeau reiterated her original statement.
“There hasn’t been a second spill or an ongoing release. This is still the visible spill from Monday and still the amount that we originally estimated,” Imbeau said on Dec. 7.
“Unfortunately the cold weather and lack of wave actions are hindering the flushing and dissipation of the product.”
