Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries – Green Island Spill Response Update August 22, 2025

Press Release

On June 3, 2025, there was a marine diesel spill at Green Island, near Dundas Island. As a precaution, this geographic area was closed to harvesting until testing could be completed.

Harvest for sea plants within the below boundary may commence again. Harvest of birds, bird eggs and bivalves still show contamination, which could impact human health, and remain closed.

Following the initial marine spill, additional cleanup was conducted in mid-summer because diesel was trapped in the granite cracks and became mobilized by rain. Two rounds of soft flushing successfully removed 90% of the diesel. A minimal amount remains, and the site will require continuous monitoring and potentially more soft flushing in the future.

Biological samples were taken from gulls, gull eggs, four species of seaweed (including Pyropia, an edible seaweed), butter clams, cockles, two types of mussels, soil, and water. Results show that all plant material is clean and free of contamination. Tissue samples for all birds, bird eggs and bivalves continue to show contamination. Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries is awaiting further clarification on the bivalve contamination, to understand the extent of the toxicity.

At this time, the area is open only for marine sea plants, but remains closed for bivalves and other species.

For questions or concerns, please contact:

Katherine Pollock
Senior Biologist, Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries
katherine_fisheries@laxband.com

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