The coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico are a key wintering area for a wide-variety of migratory birds that breed in Canada, says Environment Canada.
"Millions of ducks and other water birds that breed in Canada, especially in Central Canada and the Prairies, winter along the gulf coast," says Ashleigh Wilson, Environment Canada's media manager.
"Fortunately, many of those ducks have already begun their northward migration to Canada, but some will have remained. There may also be impacts to these species once they return to the gulf coast in the fall, depending on longer-term impacts of shoreline contamination."
The Northern Gannet is another concern. All Northern Gannets in North America breed at six colonies in Canada, three in Quebec and three in Newfoundland and Labrador and winter mainly on the U.S. Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
"The adult breeding gannets have already returned to Canada to breed, but young immature birds in their second and third year of life, remain in the Gulf of Mexico and are currently vulnerable to being oiled," says Wilson.
She also says the department is also monitoring the potential impact of the spill on fish, marine mammals and birds that move through the Gulf of Mexico to Canada.
While there is no sign of the oil heading north at this stage, she says the department "is prepared to activate the Atlantic Regional Environmental Emergencies Team and its response plans for dealing with any potential threat from the unlikely northward movement of oil into Canadian waters."
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Gulf+spill+stirs+memories+Exxon+Valdez+disaster/3085437/story.html#ixzz0pJufoe00
"Millions of ducks and other water birds that breed in Canada, especially in Central Canada and the Prairies, winter along the gulf coast," says Ashleigh Wilson, Environment Canada's media manager.
"Fortunately, many of those ducks have already begun their northward migration to Canada, but some will have remained. There may also be impacts to these species once they return to the gulf coast in the fall, depending on longer-term impacts of shoreline contamination."
The Northern Gannet is another concern. All Northern Gannets in North America breed at six colonies in Canada, three in Quebec and three in Newfoundland and Labrador and winter mainly on the U.S. Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
"The adult breeding gannets have already returned to Canada to breed, but young immature birds in their second and third year of life, remain in the Gulf of Mexico and are currently vulnerable to being oiled," says Wilson.
She also says the department is also monitoring the potential impact of the spill on fish, marine mammals and birds that move through the Gulf of Mexico to Canada.
While there is no sign of the oil heading north at this stage, she says the department "is prepared to activate the Atlantic Regional Environmental Emergencies Team and its response plans for dealing with any potential threat from the unlikely northward movement of oil into Canadian waters."
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Gulf+spill+stirs+memories+Exxon+Valdez+disaster/3085437/story.html#ixzz0pJufoe00
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