YouTube video draws attention to oil slick off Change Islands

A purported oil slick on the waters near Change Islands is likely not coming from the sunken vessel the Manolis L, says the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

DFO is responding to reports of oiled fishing gear and a YouTube video showing an oil slick were reported to the department recently.

A DFO spokesperson saidthe department learned of the oil on Sunday, when a person who contacted officials said that oil had been seen on June 4.

The sighting came a few days after the crew of the DLL Venture were rescued when their vessel struck ice in Notre Dame Bay. The vessel sank shortly after.

The spokesperson says the Canadian Coast Guard continues to monitor the Manolis L. site closely with regular flyovers and are ready to move quickly if the sunken paper carrier should start leaking again.

An environmental response team is scheduled to visit the Manolis L. site as soon as weather conditions permit.