Clumps of oil, the size of a palm have been reported to have washed ashore on the beaches of Forrest Beach near Ingham, on beaches of Palm Island and on Mulligan Beach on Hinchinbrook Island. This is presumed to be the result of the oil spill near Great Barrier Reef last week.
Earlier last week, a fisherman reported an 800m diameter slick near Cape Upstart. The Maritime Safety Queensland ( MSQ) confirmed that clean-up operations were underway since Saturday morning. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, National Parks and Wildlife Services officers, and several government agencies are involved in the clean-up operations.
Oil samples from 10 ships have been taken to ascertain which ship was responsible for the leak.
