Cleaning of tanks on the high seas: Tanker captains are responsible for a major part of the pollution, since they clean their oil tanks at sea in full knowledge of the results, and illegally discharge the dirty cleaning water into the sea. According to estimations, only 28% of the seas’ oil pollution caused by shipping was triggered accidentally. Therefore, an unbelievable 72% occur due to deliberate discharge. In addition, uncontrolled eruptions of oil from boreholes during oil production release huge amounts of oil and gas, which are hard to control. The most dramatic oil spills however, are without doubt caused by tanker accidents.

Marine birds like puffins, common murres and razorbills are at the most risk. During their migration, they search for areas of undisturbed waters where they can fish and relax. Oil-covered waters look motionless, but as soon as the birds land in the middle of the oil slick, they are covered in oil all over and are no longer able to leave the water. Even slightly soiled birds usually die, as they try to clean the sticky mass from their plumage and thereby take in poison that kills them within a few days.

Oil in the fishing grounds of seals or on their breeding shores might severely harm these creatures as well. If they get only a small share of oil, they have a chance to survive. The ones that swim directly into the oil slick usually die. When one of these animals dies, predatory fish or birds of prey like the bald eagle devour its tarry carcass. Orcas and sea lions also turn up to feed. So all these predators are poisoned too and the whole sea ecosystem is severely damaged.

The Problem

The problem of fighting an oil spill at sea has still to be solved. Even the most powerful techniques depend on weather conditions and water temperatures.

Huge amounts of oil get into the sea through our sewers or through polluted rivers. Everybody who discharges used oil into the sewer system or lets it seep into the ground is responsible for the pollution of the seas.