A thick black reminder of what’s at stake
Updated: 1 day ago
Even with careful management, history shows that shipping incidents happen in Moreton Bay – and that matters as decisions are being made about the Bay’s future.
Moreton Bay is simultaneously a treasure of biodiversity, a marine park, a wetland of international importance – and a working port.
The Bay also receives runoff from Southeast Queensland’s sprawling cities, its farms and industries. Bay habitats continue to be degraded, and legislative barriers to restoration remain entrenched. As the future brings altered climate and ongoing population pressure, the growing list of threatening processes cannot each be seen in isolation.
A clear reminder of how uncommon threats add to the cumulative burden was brought into sharp focus on Friday 2 October, when almost 7,000 litres of fuel oil entered the Brisbane River during refuelling of the container ship Sofrana Surville at the Port of Brisbane. Maritime Safety Queensland reported that the source was contained in a coordinated response.
While Marine Parks rangers initially reported no observed wildlife impacts, on Saturday local birder Hannah Taunton photographed a pelican near the Port (featured image) that appeared to have oil on its plumage, and was later seen around the Hamilton and Bulimba reaches of the Brisbane River.
Moreton Bay’s history provides important context. In 1981, the grounding of the Anro Asia off Bribie Island released an estimated 70–100 tonnes of bunker fuel. In 2009, Pacific Adventurer lost around 270 tonnes during severe weather, oiling beaches, rocky shores and wetlands across Moreton Island and parts of the mainland coast. Subsequent research found that some affected rocky-shore communities had still not fully recovered four years later. And in 2012, another refuelling spill in the Brisbane River resulted in three oiled pelicans being captured, rehabilitated and released.
Shipping incidents differ enormously in scale and circumstance, but together they demonstrate that shipping incidents can happen despite safeguards, and that every spill – no matter the volume – has consequences for wildlife and habitats.
Friday’s spill is far smaller than the Pacific Adventurer disaster, and its rapid containment and response are important distinctions. Moreton Bay’s spill history doesn’t point to increased shipping activity inevitably leading to increased environmental harm, but what it does tell us is why environmental risk, preparedness and ecological resilience need to be prioritised as the Bay’s future shipping capacity is assessed.
Our collective approach to protecting and restoring habitats, and reducing cumulative pressures, determines how well the Bay can withstand whatever unexpected impacts do occur. While authorities might measure oil spills in litres or tonnes, it’s actually more a measure of how we really value one of the region’s most critical and precious natural assets.
READ OUR MEDIA STATEMENT
If you see effected wildlife, immediately contact local wildlife carers. Brisbane City – RSPCA Emergency Hotline – 1300 264 625 City of Moreton Bay Region – Wildlife Rescue QLD 24-hour hotline – 0478 901 801 Redlands 24-hr Wildlife Rescue Service – 07 3833 4031
Below, we look back at past incidents affecting Moreton Bay
2026 – Sofrana Surville
2026 – Oil floating on the surface of the Brisbane River after a spill from the Sofrana Surville on October 2nd. Image via 7News Brisbane
2012 – Five to 10 tonnes of fuel oil leaked into the Brisbane River from the GL Lan Xiu while it was being refuelled at the Hamilton Wharves. Image via ABC News
2009 – Spilled oil from Pacific Adventurer reaches the ocean beach of Moreton Bay. Rocky shorelines were still showing impact 4 years after the spill. Photo by Darren Jew
1981 – The Anro Asia which was grounded off Bribie Island’s northern tip when its pilot neglected to make a turn in the Port of Brisbane Channel. Between 70 and 100 tonnes of bunker fuel was estimated to have been released at the northern entrance to Moreton Bay. Photo via Caloundra Chronicle
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