Science Response 2009/012
Review of Atlantic Towing Limited’s Monitoring Plan for the ‘Shovelmaster’ Barge
Context
DFO Maritimes Science was asked by the Oceans, Habitat and Species at Risk Branch (OHSAR) to review Atlantic Towing Ltd.’s plan to monitor the risk and consequences of oil release from the ‘Shovelmaster’ barge (Atlantic Towing Ltd. 2009), which sank off Southwest Nova Scotia on 22 November 2008. Specifically, DFO Science was asked to determine:
- if the design of the plan was likely to confirm the conclusions of the proponent’s risk assessment, e.g., that there would likely be limited environmental impact of a 70,000 L diesel release from the sunken barge;
- if the assumption that possible toxic effects of oil release from the ‘Shovelmaster’ would be insignificant in relation to dispersal and natural mortality on lobster eggs and larvae;
- the difficulty of sampling the sediment in the vicinity of the barge without using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
A response was requested as soon as possible, given that the possible release of diesel fuel was a Regional Environmental Emergencies Team (REET) issue and DFO Science input into the proposed monitoring plan was required. Given the short timeline to prepare a response, DFO Maritimes Science determined that a Special Science Response Process would be used.
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