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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFish deformities linked to oil pollution in U.S. and Alberta
A renowned Alberta water scientist is urging the federal government to take action after he discovered deformities in fish in the Athabasca River downriver from oil sands developments bear a striking resemblance to ones found in fish after spills in U.S. waters.
University of Alberta ecologist Dr. David Schindler said the only way to know for sure which petrochemicals and in what concentrations cause the deformities is to conduct whole ecosystem experiments at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in Northern Ontario.
"I propose that the ELA site and laboratory should be kept open to conduct these important experiments, which have implications for future effects of oil extraction and transport in or near both marine and freshwater ecosystems," Schindler wrote in a letter to Environment Minister Peter Kent and Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield.
The ELA was shuttered on March 31 after its funding was cut in last year's budget. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) says it is in negotiations with other parties to take over the operation of the one-of-a-kind facility. The government will save $2-million a year by off-loading the outdoor laboratory made up of 58 small pristine lakes.
Schindler cited a number of studies that looked into the effects of oil and chemical contamination on fish fish after the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska and the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in the lower Athabasca River. He included photos of fish from the Athabasca with two tails, bulging eyeballs and gaping sores.
A Walleye with an enlarged eye caught near Ft. McKay, Alberta, on the Athabasca River in 2010.David Schindler/University of Alberta
"In both the Gulf of Mexico and the Athabasca River, the high incidence of malformations and the grotesque appearance of some of the fish make consumers reluctant to eat them," wrote Schindler. He added that was a threat to the Gulf of Mexico's commercial fishery and the Athabasca's subsistence fishery.............
More: http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2013/04/03/pol-schindler-letter-to-ministers-sees-pollution-effect-similarities.html
By the way the CBC is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.... Its like PBS but better.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)liberal N proud
(60,332 posts)SkyDaddy7
(6,045 posts)However, I am not so sure it is better than PBS...But opinions are what they are.
UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)SkyDaddy7
(6,045 posts)I see many post on DU calling PBS "Right Wing Media" & other very ridiculous claims. It may have to do with everything USA is bad or maybe it is the half way decent journalism they don't like because it does not repeat what MSNBC says? Not sure, but I do know many here on DU talk bad about PBS.
I LOVE PBS!!! Not only for the news but for its programming!! NOVA, Frontline, Nature, etc., Good stuff!! Not the pristine SMELLY BULLSHIT you find on channels like the History Channel or TLC!
UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)It's not perfect but as you say, there is some good stuff on it. Yep, Nova, Front Line and some very good shows about science.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)rather than talk about the news I reported
Thanks
UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)The news you reported? It depresses me. It's said here every day: This country is now run by corporations. We have a drill baby drill president. Most of the people who post here think he's the greatest president ever no matter what he does. Forgive me for feeling helpless to stop this.
Ilsa
(61,690 posts)of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To me, the Gulf is a Superfund site.
We have a bay near us that is a Superfund site. Signs are posted to not eat any fish or shell animals caught there. It's been ruined for decades. Oh yeah, it stinks, too.