ITOPF contributes to Effect of Oil on Wildlife Conference in Cape Town, South Africa

Oil spills can cause a wide range of impacts to marine organisms and the marine environment, while damage can be profound at the level of individual organisms, populations are more resilient.

This topic was the focus of the Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference (EOW) which took place in Cape Town, South Africa this week. EOW focuses on the planning, response, rehabilitation, release and research aspects of oil spills and their effects on wildlife.

Represented by Lauren Fearenga, ITOPF contributed to EOW with a presentation on the need to integrate oiled wildlife response into the wider marine pollution response structure, providing case studies to showcase how it can be achieved and the benefits realised when done successfully.

ITOPF participated in the closing panel discussion which focused on developing wildlife response preparedness in Africa alongside an expert panel of Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Sea Alarm, GI WACAF and OSRL.

EOW hosted many high-quality talks throughout the week from a wide range of international speakers, including representatives from wildlife response organisations, the oil and gas industry, regional intergovernmental organisations such as GI WACAF, and representatives from South African authorities including SAMSA and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

The event provided an open platform for engagement and networking between international stakeholders involved in oil spill response and wildlife response, ITOPF relished the opportunity to meet with speakers, attendees and share its expertise.

While in country, ITOPF was able to attend a penguin release hosted by SANCCOB, marking African penguin awareness day, and 25 years since the TREASURE incident off the coast of Cape Town, in which ITOPF were involved. This incident remains one the largest oiled wildlife response to date and involved the pre-emptive capture and rehabilitation of tens of thousands of African penguins.