8,000-Litre Diesel Spill Reported at Salmon Farm off Vancouver Island

Human error during fuel transfer led to a major spill, prompting cleanup efforts and shellfish harvesting closures in Zeballos Inlet.

The spill occurred Saturday at a Grieg Seafood salmon farm near Zeballos, B.C., due to a fuel transfer pump being left on improperly.
Up to 8,000 litres of diesel entered the water, creating a visible sheen spreading across Zeballos Inlet and surrounding areas.
The Ehattesaht First Nation issued a clam harvesting alert and closure, citing potential long-term contamination risks to shellfish and marine ecosystems.
Cleanup efforts, coordinated by Grieg Seafood and Strategic Natural Resource Consultants, have faced challenges with stormy weather and high tides dispersing the diesel.
Environmental groups and local leaders have raised concerns about the spill's impact on wildlife, spawning streams, and the livelihoods of nearby communities.