European Commitment to the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Shipwrecks

Abstract

This poster sets out a proposal for the management of shipwrecks with the potential to cause oil pollution incidents. The poster will outline the legal framework of key European nation states and will look at international agreements relating to potentially polluting shipwrecks. It will propose a management plan that can be adopted by European countries in the form of either international agreements or through the European Union, which will include guidelines that should be adopted for the management of individual wreck sites. The classification of shipwrecks with the potential to release oil has been well documented through a number of papers, including the most recent study by NOAA in 2013. To supplement this process, subsurface oil spill modelling can be used to demonstrate the potential spatial footprint of the oil and indicate transboundary boundary maritime effects. These effects are a primary factor in the successful management of wrecks at risk in the European context. Building on the current European and International legislation, a suggested platform for proactive management will be proposed. The value of having a European body will enable a focused approach to deal with complex International and National relationships. In addition to a standard risk assessment for each wreck, its sovereignty, the territorial waters it is located in, and the territorial waters and coastline that may be effected in the event of a pollution incident, need to be considered, and included within the management plan. This gives rise to network of stakeholders whose inclusion into the process is imperative for successful outcomes. A European body responsible for the management of potentially polluting wrecks allows the issue to be removed from individual national interests. A dedicated pan-European body can focus on the wider issue of potential transboundary oil pollution and coordinate multiple resources to effectively address the issue.