Fears for Wildlife Safety amid Poole Harbour oil leak

There are fears for wildlife safety amid an oil leak into the largest natural harbour in Europe.

Poole harbour is a site of nature conservation, with wading birds, sea horses and other animals.

It is experiencing a leak from a pipeline operated by Perenco gas and oil company.

Two hundred barrels of reservoir fluid spilled into the harbour on Sunday.

The company commissioners said there is ‘no risk’ of a further leak as the pipeline was shut down.

The Birds of Poole Harbour Group (BoPH) said: “The fact it’s happened right in the middle of such an environmentally important area is incredibly worrying.”

According to BoPH, Sandwich birds will arrive back from their wintering grounds to nest on Brownsea Island in the next few weeks.

This is concerning to them as they said: “Any birds that come into physical contact with this substance can see their feathers damaged and become less water resistant.”

According to Poole Tourism, it is a good area for fishing, with bass and eels being commonly caught there.

Local resident Dan Ware said: “This is so sad. An absolute nightmare for our fishing, oyster cultivation and tourism.”

The harbour is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which according to Dorset Council “Provide wonderful opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife and landscape.”

Extinction Rebellion activist Fanny Glennon said: “They shouldn’t be drilling for oil in an SSSI.

“They should be starting a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewables.”