Home / Environment / Grounded Cargo Ship Spills Debris, Threatening Newfoundland Fishery
Grounded Cargo Ship Spills Debris, Threatening Newfoundland Fishery
13 Nov
Summary
- Cargo ship MSC Baltic III grounded in Newfoundland since February
- Extreme storms causing more debris to fall from the vessel
- Fishermen concerned about oil, plastics, and impact on their livelihoods
As of November 13th, 2025, the cargo ship MSC Baltic III has remained grounded on the west coast of Newfoundland for over 9 months, leaving local fishermen worried about the long-term impact on their industry. The vessel ran aground back in February, and recent extreme storms have caused even more debris to fall from the ship, further polluting the surrounding waters.
Crews have been working to remove heavy oil and other hazardous materials from the site in Cedar Cove, near Lark Harbour. However, fishermen like Jeff Childs and Mike Childs, who are cousins, believe the cleanup efforts have been too slow and inadequate. They estimate that around 20 tonnes of residual oil still remain aboard the grounded ship, and are concerned about the plastics that have been released into the ocean.
"The fishery is what keeps this town going," said Mike Childs, who is also a Lark Harbour councillor. "I really, really hope that they do get all of the oil and hydraulic fluid and the diesel and the mattresses. But time is getting short."
The Canadian Coast Guard has stated that crews will remain on-site throughout the winter, and it may not be until spring 2026 that they start planning to remove the vessel entirely. In the meantime, the local fishermen fear the ongoing environmental damage could have a devastating impact on their livelihoods.
