Archived press release

Oil spill legacy remains two years after sea empress disaster

11 February 1998

Evidence of the Sea Empress oil disaster is still visible two years after it occurred Friends of the Earth reveals today. On the Second Anniversary of the grounding of the Sea Empress (Saturday, 14 February), following which over 70,000 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea off Pembrokeshire, oil can still be found in some sheltered bays in the Milford Haven waterway. And excessive seaweed growth in the area indicates that marine grazing species, such as limpets, are still well below levels found before the accident occurred.

Gordon James of Friends of the Earth said:
“Evidence of continuing pollution can still be found in parts of the Milford Haven water way two years after the spill. Excessive seaweed growth indicates that inter-tidal species, such as limpets, have not yet returned to their pre-spillage levels and there is also concern about the recovery of the Scoter duck population in Carmarthen Bay.

It is impossible at this stage to fully assess the long-term ecological impact of the spill, and Friends of the Earth urges that studies into this are continued.

However, it is obvious that a lot of effort has gone into physically removing oil. Visitors to the area will no doubt be pleased that Pembrokeshire's beaches and coastline now look as magnificent as ever.”

Marine Scientist Tim Deere-Jones, who has been studying the effects of the oil spill for Friends of the Earth has criticised aspects of the response to the disaster. He has questioned the large application of dispersants used and criticise the inadequate use of booms to prevent the contamination of a significant number of sites.

Tim Deere-Jones said
“The response after the grounding failed to protect a large and highly sensitive marine environment. Failures of boom deployment, and possibly insufficient boom supplies, allowed the oiling of a number of significant sites including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, important amenity beaches and harbours.”

Friends of the Earth is still considering taking legal action over the Sea Empress disaster.
Tony Juniper, Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth said:

“Friends of the Earth continues to consider that there is evidence to justify a prosecution against the Department of Transport. We are in ongoing discussions with our legal advisers and will closely monitor the prosecutions By the Environment Agency. We will make a decision on any private prosecution on the basis of our legal advice at the appropriate time.“

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust