Anger as Poole harbour oil leak puts protected wildlife at risk

Environmental activists, biodiversity experts, politicians and nature lovers are demanding answers over an oil leak in Poole harbour, a site internationally recognised for its ecological importance.

- Jamie Grierson

Nearly 200 barrels of reservoir fluid – a brine mixture that is about 15% oil – leaked into the waters of Ower Bay on Sunday afternoon from a pipeline operated by the energy company Perenco.

Oil slicks were reported across Poole harbour, Europe’s largest natural harbour in Europe and one of its most heavily protected areas.

The RSPB has already recorded sightings of oiled birds in the harbour – home to thousands of birds, including nationally and internationally important wetland species.

Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), the harbour regulator responsible for leading the cleanup response, insisted yesterday the picture was improving, with aerial footage suggesting there had been a 60-70% reduction in oil sightings on the water.

However, Philip Broadhead, the leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, expressed “anger” at the leak, adding “serious questions” would be asked over how the spill occurred, while a protest broke out in Poole Quay.

He said: “I am clearly angry and disappointed. This is the second-largest natural harbour [in the world], award-winning beaches, very delicate ecosystem.