Credit: WWF

A sea snake swims through the slick.

Credit: WWF

Credit: WWF

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As fire has engulfed the leaking West Atlas oil rig, further complicating the environmental catastrophe, a recent report from WWF suggests marine life off the Kimberly coastline is under huge threat from the spill.

The report findings have revealed many marine species are in the slick area, including two species of marine turtles already threatened by extinction.

"Wildlife is dying and hundreds if not thousands of dolphins, sea birds and sea snakes are being exposed to toxic oil," said WWF-Australia's Director of Conservation, Gilly Llewellyn, in a statement.

"It's a stark contrast to comments made [previously]...by the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association that claimed our survey found no evidence of harm to marine life [which] appears to be an attempt to sweep this environmental disaster under the carpet," she said.

"The critical issue is the long term impact of this slick on a rich marine ecosystem, taking into consideration the magnitude, extent and duration of the event," Llewellyn continued.

Satellite images show a 25,000 square kilometre slick that is still spreading across the ocean surface, with the rig having been leaking for 10 weeks and spewing about 400 barrels of oil a day into the waters.

"We know that oil can be a slow and silent killer," said Llewellyn. "Impacts from the Exxon Valdez disaster are still being seen 20 years later, so we can expect this environmental disaster will continue to unfold for years to come."

Indeed, the pollution potential of the spill was realised at the weekend when the rig caught fire. This puts a new strain on the atmosphere as thick smoke surrounds the area.

Marine biologist Euan Harvey, from the University of Western Australia, said that as the oil enters the food chain and many creatures accumulate toxic substances in their tissues, the possible long term effects were also very concerning.

"What effects there are of dolphins, whales, sea snakes and other [creatures] that surface in [the slick] and are forced to breath in the oil fumes we don't know," he said.

This means even if marine animals survive the initial trauma of the spill, their long term health, growth and reproduction could be compromised, leading to population decline.

The WWF report highlights the impact of the spill at a time when many corals and fish species are currently in their prime spawning period.

Birds migrating from the northern winter are also likely to be affected as they fly across the slick.

Minister for the Environment, Peter Garret, said that while the Government has been focussing its operational response on the immediate impacts of the spill, it recognises the need to ensure ongoing impacts are also monitored.

PTTEP (the company responsible for the oil spill) and the Australian Government have committed to a two-year plan to monitor the affected area, he said.

"The long term monitoring plan outlines scientific studies to be implemented over the next two to 10 years that will provide information on marine life, wildlife and habitats, water quality and shoreline ecology to shape our environmental response, so that we appropriately address any impacts of oil in the region in years to come."

Many green groups, however, have seen this response as inadequate. They have raised concerns that, as it stands, the proposed monitoring plan provides no confirmation that reports will be released publicly and no indication that Indonesian biodiversity will be considered, nor does it comment on what will be done once any impacts are established.

Mike Bossley, Managing Director of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society said that if the Government "was serious about mitigating the threats of oil spills, they would immediately freeze all new oil and gas exploration applications".

Bossley called for much stronger controls over all oil and gas rig shipping activities, including contingency plans before approvals are given. He also said critical habitats must be identified and protected before any oil and gas explorations begin.