More Palm Oil has been washed up on the beach at Formby which is fatal to dogs
Unfortunately more palm oil has been washed up on the beach at Formby on Ravenmeols part and also northwards towards Victoria Road.
A Sefton Coast Landscape Partnerships spokesperson said: "In a 24 hour period from Tuesday 3rd April, Sefton Council staff recovered four bags of the palm oil material from Crosby beach whilst the National Trust team have found palm oil debris south of Lifeboat Road in Formby."
"Inspections at Ainsdale and Southport have yet to reveal debris washing up there."
"The yellow waxy material, with a grey outer crust, is harmless to humans, but can be fatal to dogs if they eat it. Dogs also find the material attractive, so are likely to head towards it. Pets should be kept under close control on the beach at present, especially on the tideline, although the material can appear anywhere after high tides, owners should remain vigilant."
"Warning notices are in place at Sefton Council managed beach entrances and have been in place since last November when the major palm oil debris arrival began."
In November last year, the National Trust in Formby confirmed that 6 tonnes of Palm Oil was collected in just over a week but not much has been seen this year until now. Warning signs are up at National Trust property prior to entering the beach.
A spokesman from National Trust Formby said: "Please keep a close eye on your dogs and don't let them eat anything."
This is the Rangers dog Chip who ate some Palm Oil
"Ranger dog Chip managed to scoff a big chunk on Wednesday 4th April which resulted in a trip to the vets! He's feeling a bit sorry for himself but is otherwise ok."
Palm oil is a natural product used mainly in food processing and it can legally be released into the sea by ships. However, palm can be contaminated with fuel waste and other toxins and in solid form can be extremely harmful to dogs.
According to Sefton Council, recent stormy weather means that decaying palm oil from a 26 year old shipwreck may wash up along the coastline. The source of the substance is believed to be the wreck of the product tanker Kimya. In January 1991, the Kimya was caught in a severe storm in the Irish Sea, about 15 nm southwest of Holyhead; she radioed a mayday and reported a list of 45 degrees, and she capsized within 15 minutes of the call. When she sank, she took her load of palm oil to the bottom. Rescuers were only able to save two members of her 12-man crew.
The Kimya was identified as the source of another palm oil spill that came ashore in Anglesey in March. The severe storms lay November over the UK – Storm Aileen, Storm Brian and ex-hurricane Ophelia – may have moved the wreck again and dislodged some of its cargo, which is still washing up now.
More updates as we get them. For more information, please contact Sefton Council's coast and countryside team on 0151 934 2967.