The World Wildlife Fund is echoing calls for an independent regulator to oversee environmental and safety concerns in the province’s offshore.

There have been three oil spills in the offshore since November of last year, raising serious concerns for both the industry and outside agencies alike.

Sigrid Kuehnemund is Canada’s vice president of ocean conservation with the World Wildlife Fund.

Australia and Norway already have independent offshore safety authorities in place. She says Newfoundland and Labrador needs a stronger regulatory regime.

She says that leads to a blurring of lines with the operators themselves reporting on incidents.