The oil additive polyisobutene has caused distress to large numbers of birds along Britain's south coast after it was released by a ship
Following MBM’s story last week, it has been revealed that the substance that has caused large numbers of guillemots and razorbills to get washed up along England’s south coast is the oil additive polyisobutene.
According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the substance may be released from ships under some circumstances in “very, very small concentrations”, but both the RSPB and a local MP are calling for it to be reclassified.
The BBC quotes Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, as saying, “My initial response is one of surprise and horror. I can’t think of any conditions that a ship should be allowed to discharge this material if it can kill sea birds.
“If you change the oil on your car you do so at a garage with a metal tray underneath, you don’t drive down the road and simply open the cap – it’s madness.”
And if you need any reminder of why it’s so important to keep our coastlines clean, then watch our WILDLIFE VIDEO from our Great Motor Boat Tour.
