The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation is calling for immediate and decisive action to address the environmental threat posed by the Baltic III.

The vessel ran aground near Lark Harbour on February 15 and the ship’s owner has called in a private salvage company to remove fuel and pollutants from the vessel before deciding what to do next.

Access to the vessel has been restricted to weather windows, and local residents are growing increasingly anxious that an environmental disaster is imminent.

Qalipu First Nation Chief Jenny Brake has visited the wreck site and met directly with local harvesters and Coast Guard personnel. She says they are very concerned about the clean-up response to-date.

“There’s a lot of unanswered questions, and it’s been two months and the vessel’s still sitting there. I know that the situation is being closely monitored by Coast Guard and I appreciate that,” said Brake, “but there’s nothing really happening. There needs to be road access to this site because the water is just not going to offer the stability that’s needed.”

The Qalipu First Nation is calling on the federal government to demand immediate and transparent action from MSC, enforce greater accountability, and integrate Indigenous knowledge into its response planning.