Sea Empress oil spill

Prof. Ron Edwards, (Chairman Water Empress Environmental Evaluation Committee) and Dr Ian White

Paper offered within Overseas Oil Spill meeting 1999, 7-12 March 1999, Seattle, United States Of America

72.000 tonnes of light crude oil were released from the water Empress at entry to Milford Haven, South Wales over a 7 time duration in February 1996, in a place of excellent ecological worth for wildlife, tourism and natural beauty. Natural elements (time of year, wind course) along with effective clean-up at sea (through substance dispersion) as well as on coast, minimised ecological impact. Nevertheless, there were adverse effects on fisheries, wildlife - particularly overwintering birds, tourism and amenity. (man health research reports have not already been completed). Recovery, but not full, has been motivating even though some wildlife populations remain depleted and additional tracking becomes necessary, including of seafood shares.