Mission accomplished: chronic North Sea oil pollution now at acceptable levels, with Common GuillemotsUria aalgeas sentinels

Abstract

Marine oil pollution has been an issue of concern for at least a century. The earliest reports contained outrage over oil-contaminated dead seabirds found ashore. This paper reports on observed trends in strandings and oil rates of Common Guillemots Uria aalge to illustrate the history of oil pollution and its effects in the North Sea. This paper is also a tribute to Peter Hope Jones, who brought systematic beached bird surveys and oil-spill impact assessments to a higher level, by implementing detailed research on affected wildlife. In recent decades, unexpectedly, the oil problem has disappeared almost completely from the North Sea. Given the global nature of current environmental issues, including the climate and biodiversity crises, it may be instructive to examine the background to this stunning success. A short history of major oil events is presented, including the measures taken to reduce the oil problem. It required a succession of major oil incidents to push the community into action. The process of international conventions was notoriously slow, and the implementation of concrete measures even slower, as economic arguments prevailed to prevent or delay immediate action.