WWF-UK: Lucky escape for the marine environment
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Lucky escape for the marine environment
Tuesday 31 January 2006
The collision in the Channel in the early hours of this morning between a chemical tanker, the vessel Ece, and a bulk carrier, happened about 30 miles north west of Guernsey. The 8,000 tonne tanker was carrying a significant quantity of phosphoric acid which has been leaking into the sea since the collision.
Dr Simon Walmsley, Head of WWF-UK marine, commented:
"Initial impressions are that the environment has had a lucky escape. Phosphoric acid is a chemical that does not last for a long time in the environment and it will be diluted by the sea. It could have been a different story if the tanker was carrying a more toxic persistent chemical or oil.
"The accident happened in the Channel - one of the busiest shipping areas in the world but also in an area recognised for the importance of its marine life. The North West Waters Particularly Sensitive Sea Area stretches from Spain to Scotland. As part of its management certain measures should be taken to minimise the risk to the environment from human shipping.
"There are a lot of questions that still need to be answered by a full and thorough enquiry. Some of the questions that WWF is interested to find out the answers to are: What was the cause of the accident? Has there been a leak of bunker oil, used to fuel the tanker? Would any additional measures have prevented this from happening, and therefore should any additional protective measures be taken in the future to minimise accidents?"
"Initial impressions are that the environment has had a lucky escape. Phosphoric acid is a chemical that does not last for a long time in the environment and it will be diluted by the sea. It could have been a different story if the tanker was carrying a more toxic persistent chemical or oil.
"The accident happened in the Channel - one of the busiest shipping areas in the world but also in an area recognised for the importance of its marine life. The North West Waters Particularly Sensitive Sea Area stretches from Spain to Scotland. As part of its management certain measures should be taken to minimise the risk to the environment from human shipping.
"There are a lot of questions that still need to be answered by a full and thorough enquiry. Some of the questions that WWF is interested to find out the answers to are: What was the cause of the accident? Has there been a leak of bunker oil, used to fuel the tanker? Would any additional measures have prevented this from happening, and therefore should any additional protective measures be taken in the future to minimise accidents?"
Further information
Find out more about WWF's work on these issues by visiting the Marine and coastal ecosytems section or our Chemicals and Health Camapign website.