SEABIRDS DIE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 173, 24 July 1934, Page 8

SEABIRDS DIE.

OIL IN COOK STRAIT. DISCHARGE FROM VESSELS. CONCERN IN WELLINGTON. Penguins and other seabirds about Cook Strait have suffered death in considerable numbers during the past week as a result of their being smeared with oil evidently discharged by some oil-burning ship or ships.in Cook Strait or close to the coast of New Zealand. Even the sanctity of Kapiti Island cannot bo maintained against disturbance of such a character. It is a case of commerce against Nature and the law. Although tlic conduct of ships and the practice of discharging waste oil is subject to some restriction under the provisions of the Oil in Territorial Water.-: Aft, 1020, both the Marine Department and the Internal Affairs Department, which latter controls Kapiti Island Sanctuary, arc concerned about tlte matter of oil discharge. The limit of the restriction under the New Zealanl Act is three miles from low water mark. !t is a moot point, however, whether irosecution would lie against a ship which discharged oil beyond the threemile limit, and which oil drifted to New Zealand territorial waters. Would that bo construed as "indirectly" discharging oil refuse in New Zealand territory? The Marine Department informed an "Evening Post" reporter that there was as yet no power to legislate beyond territorial waters. The subject was a problem being considered by means of an international convention. Until ths convention provides sanction as the base no further legislative control can be exorcised by New Zealand, or, for that matter, by any other country. "A heavy toll is being taken of seabird life as a consequence," said Captain E. V. Sanderson. '"Several dead penguins were noticed on Kapiti within a distance of one hundred yards. These were smeared with oil. Others were in a dying state, and although attempts were made to remove the oil from their, bodies, all died. . Dead oil-besmeared birds arc also to 1)6 found on the Paekakariki beach. Most of the oil how lies on tho beach, and penguins are still meeting it there as they go and come from the water. Other seabirds, besides penguins, will, of course, suffer. This oil discharge is killing thousands of seabirds in various parts of the world. Tho only remedy is international action compelling steamers to install separators. The oil discharge is a residue resembling tar."