PROTESTORS marched, chanted and drummed in Poole on Monday afternoon following the oil spill in Poole Harbour.

Members of Extinction Rebellion, BCP Council and residents of all ages made their voices heard at Poole Quay on Monday, March 27, to demand action against pipeline operators Perenco.

Poole Harbour Commissioners declared a major incident after around 200 barrels of reservoir fluid was released into the water column on Sunday – of which 15 per cent was oil.

Among the most vocal at the protest was Joanna Bury, coordinator of the Wimborne branch of Extinction Rebellion. Donning placards and hazmat suits with a group she dubbed the ‘Pink Rebels’, Ms Bury described the oil spill as a “local disaster”.

She told the Echo: “We were devastated to discover there had been an oil spill in this area and it’s flabbergasting to find out there was even an oil pipe anywhere near Poole Harbour.

“The Harbour is an area of extraordinary and unique biodiversity. This has now been put at serious risk in the name of the fossil fuel industry. Nature is being destroyed at a catastrophic rate and this is just another example of that.

“This kind of thing is a wake up call locally, it’s a local disaster and tragedy, but you also have to look at the big picture of nature worldwide. We have to move away from oil.

“This is a very sad and solemn day.”

Government minister for environmental quality and resilience, Rebecca Pow, said a full investigation was underway into why the leak occurred and once identified, ensure any repairs are done to the highest standard.

BCP councillor George Farquhar also attended the protest along with fellow councillors Andy Hadley, Vikki Slade, Felicity Rice and Chris Rigby.

Bournemouth Echo: Protest at Poole Quay on Monday, March 27, after oil spill in Harbour.Protest at Poole Quay on Monday, March 27, after oil spill in Harbour. (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Farquhar backed the investigation, but said he felt similar incidents involving pipelines would become inevitable. He said: “What happened on Sunday was an accident waiting to happen. I’m not convinced any precautionary measures were in place and I don’t like calling it a spillage – it was a leak.

“They say it’s only 15 per cent oil, but what else is in that fluid? I feel they’re already minimising the damage and we need to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

“I’ve always been a supporter of Extinction Rebellion, I’m glad to see the turnout and people standing up and defending our planet.”