Seabirds and North Sea oil

Abstract

                  From Conclusions in Relation to the Oil Industry: “It is understandable that there is great concern regarding the well being of individual seabirds which suffer from the effects of oil pollution. However, the biologically important criterion is the health of the breeding population as a whole. The evidence suggests that in recent decades the pupulations of seabirds in British waters have generally been increasing, although there are now some signs of patchy stabilization and in some cases reduction in numbers.”

There has been no change in the well being of breeding populations of seabirds in the North Sea that can be attributed to the effects of the North Sea oil industry, except for very local and short term effects, e.g. on the black guillemot population at Sullom Voe. Surveillance of seabird populations should be maintained using refined methods covering breeding populations and wintering birds to maintain general surveillance. Such work should be designed to be carried out in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

The oil industry recognizes the value of reliable information on seabird populations in the contexts of the input to environmental impact assessments and contingency planning. It was recognized that the complex data which accumulate from seabird studies should be distilled into clear and simple statements which will aid the oil industry to use the data.

It was noted that the development of industrial fishing may well pose a threat to seabird populations as a result of food stock depletion. In such circumstances, the mortality due to oil pollution may assume a different significance.”