Anti-oil protesters staged a slick protest in Vancouver's English Bay Monday, dousing themselves in fake oil before staging a "die-in" to protest oil tanker traffic in Burrard Inlet.

The group drew stares and picture requests as they first coated themselves in sticky (biodegradable) molasses before collapsing onto the popular beach.

The aim of the protest was to dramatize the dangers of accidental oil spills to people, wildlife and the environment.

The dozen or so activists, part of a group called No Tanks!, are calling on the federal government to ban all oil tanker traffic on the West Coast.

A spokesperson for the Wilderness Committee says most British Columbians believe there is a moratorium in B.C. waters, but that's not the case.

"As we're all reeling from the BP oil spill it's shameful this has been allowed to happen. There are two tankers a week going through this harbour," said Ben West.

"There needs to be a public process. The days of being able to move oil tankers up and down the coast without anyone noticing are over."

Earlier this month, the Union of B.C. Municipalities voted in favor a resolution that urges the government to legislate a ban on oil tanker traffic on the Northern B.C. Coast.

The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines proposal, which would carry oil from the Alberta tar sands to Kitimat, has seen a large opposition from First Nations and environmentalists.