A seabird has died after being pulled from a north Queensland beach affected by an oil spill, first reported two weeks ago.
Two brown boobies and a juvenile flatback turtle had been treated since crews began clearing oil patches from shores near Ingham and on Hinchinbrook and Palm Islands on Saturday.
"Unfortunately one of the birds - a brown booby - has passed away last night from the oil," Mark Read from the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority told reporters on Friday.
"But the other bird and the young flatback are doing fine."
Tests on a dead turtle that also washed ashore found it had not died from oil.
All affected mainland beaches - except Bronte Beach - are now open to the public.
Crews will continue to patrol them in case any oil or wildlife washes ashore.
The spill was reported by a fisherman near Cape Upstart two weeks ago and parts of Palm Island and Hinchinbrook Island still require cleaning.
Authorities have so far taken samples from 12 of 17 boats that were in the area at the time in an attempt to find the culprit.
"If we can identify the ship, I'm pretty much sure we will be prosecuting quite heavily," Maritime Safety Queensland regional harbour master Frank D'Souza said.
Damage to reefs will be assessed when authorities are sure beaches and wildlife are secure.
Mr Read said it was hoped the oil had lost much of its toxicity during its days at sea.
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