SEABIRDS CONTAMINATION: LATEST STATEMENT

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is continuing with its efforts to identify the source of the PIB that contaminated seabirds off the south west coast.

Samples of the product, including some from feathers of the affected birds, were taken from various locations. These samples were passed to Plymouth University and the MCA requested an analysis to be carried out.

Since those tests confirmed the product was PIB, the MCA has been collecting data of the ships that passed through the area during a specific time frame, and has been looking through detailed cargo manifests.

The number of tankers currently being investigated further stands at seven. If the MCA can locate any ship that was responsible for an illegal discharge then we will take steps to prosecute.

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