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Seabird oil deaths: 19 species washed up in PIB pollutant RSPB says seabird deaths caused by 'worst PIB spill'
(about 3 hours later)
More than 1,000 birds of almost 20 species have been washed up covered in a sticky substance during the last fortnight, according to a charity. The RSPB has said a pollution incident which has killed more than 1,000 birds was the worst case involving polyisobutene (PIB) it was aware of.
The oil additive polyisobutene (PIB) has killed the birds off the coast of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset since 10 April , the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said. Peter Exley, from the wildlife charity, told BBC News this was the "worst spill" involving the substance.
More than 90% of the birds affected by the substance have been guillemots. He said almost 20 species of bird had been washed up on the coasts of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset since 10 April.
The government said discharges by ships were being investigated. The RSPB is calling for PIB, used in ship's engines, to be reclassified.
At the moment it can be legally released into the sea under certain conditions.
Mr Exley said: "For this particular chemical it's the worst spill that we've seen."
He said he hoped the pollution had "peaked" but that it was not known how many birds still at sea were affected by it.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it was trying to determine the source of the latest incident.
A previous spill in January affected at least 500 birds along the South West coast.
The MCA ended its investigation into that incident, admitting it was "highly unlikely" the ship could be found.
Mr Exley said that in 1994 hundreds of birds were affected in the Irish sea and in 1998, 1,100 birds were covered by the pollutant. In 2010 less than 100 were affected in the North Sea.
'Global responsibility''Global responsibility'
Last week, the RSPB said eight species had been affected but on Monday, after it had "collated reports and cross referenced information", the number had increased to 19. More than 90% of the birds covered by the substance in the most recent incident have been guillemots.
As well as guillemots, several razorbills, gannets, fulmars and puffins have been found covered in PIB. Several razorbills, gannets, fulmars and puffins have also been found.
The charity said individual reports of 14 other species had also been made, including a Manx shearwater.The charity said individual reports of 14 other species had also been made, including a Manx shearwater.
Peter Exley, from the RSPB, said: "The UK has 90% of the breeding population of Manx shearwaters, we have a global responsibility."Peter Exley, from the RSPB, said: "The UK has 90% of the breeding population of Manx shearwaters, we have a global responsibility."
Mr Exley added that the birds found washed up were a small percentage of those affected. Mr Exley said the birds found washed up were a small percentage of those affected.
Almost 250 live birds have been taken into care by the RSPCA and the South Devon Seabird Trust since 10 April. Nearly 250 live birds have been taken into care by the RSPCA and the South Devon Seabird Trust since 10 April.
Currently, PIB - which is used by ships to make their engines work more efficiently - can be released legally under certain conditions. Mr Exley said the RSPB did not know why so many birds had been affected, but more species would be closer to shore as they were returning to their breeding sites.
In February, the substance was found to be the cause of debilitating more than 300 birds along the south coast. However, he added, it could just be a "much bigger spill".
Mr Exley said the RSPB did not know why more birds had been affected, but more species would be closer to shore as they were returning to their breeding sites.
However, he added it could just be a "much bigger spill".
The charity has called for PIB to be reclassified and discharges of the substance to be outlawed.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was trying to determine the source of the latest incident but ended inquiries into the first discharge, admitting it was "highly unlikely" the ship could be found.
It added that every effort was being made to determine the source.