Signage is now being installed by Dorset Council at Studland beaches, Knoll Beach, South Beach, Ferry Road and Shell Bay asking people not to swim in these areas until further notice.

The ’Shoreline Clean Up and Assessment Technique’ (SCAT) intensive operation continues today (28 March).

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has raised signage at Rockley Park, Lake Pier, Hamworthy Park, Baiter Slipway, Whitley Lake (Kite Beach) and the slipway at Lake Road to ask visitors not to swim in these areas until further notice.

Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) chief executive Jim Stewart said: “Water and shellfish sampling is being carried out in Poole Harbour and we continue to monitor any impact on the environment. Key stakeholders in the fishing industry have been contacted. As a precaution, the public are advised that they should still avoid using Poole Harbour for recreational purposes – including the hand gathering of shellfish – and continue to avoid bathing at beaches within Poole Harbour until further updates become available.”

Since the start of the clean-up process, 58 km of shoreline has been assessed. “We have received over 200 reports from five teams feeding into our Emergency Response Centre. PHC continue to monitor the harbour by helicopter, drones, boat and shore patrols,” said Jim Stewart. “Latest reports show that the oil continues to dissipate, however some oil has come ashore in a small number of areas and PHC is in the process of clearing up these areas as and when recorded.

“There have been a limited number of reports regarding oiled birds, however we are unaware of any bird fatalities at this stage, but we will continue to monitor the situation.”

In the event of local landowners discovering fluid or oil on their land and or near the foreshore, PHC should be contacted on pooleharbourcommissioners@phc.co.uk for assistance.

It is requested that members of the public do not try and help with the clean-up at Poole Harbour, specialist trained teams are working hard on the ground.

The following advice is given by PHC regarding exposure to the spillage:

• It is unlikely that there will be any long-term health effects from short exposures (eg days).
• Anyone who has come into contact with the spill should wash immediately with soap and water for ten minutes.
• If eyes have come into contact with the spill, they should be rinsed with water. Anyone who has been exposed to fuel oil and is feeling unwell please contact NHS 111 or seek medical attention from your GP.

For further information, please contact: pooleharbourcommissioners@phc.co.uk