Maritime Pollution Incident Response

Pollutants like oil can occasionally be spilt into the sea, endangering all aspects of the marine environment and potentially human health too. This is called a Maritime Pollution Incident. The MMO in English waters and NRW in Welsh waters are responsible for managing and treating these events or spills. Environmental groups are set up to provide environmental advice to the Secretary of States’ Representative (SOSREP), during a serious marine pollution incident.

The concept of an Environment Group with a role in responding to a significant maritime pollution incident was recommended by Lord Donaldson in his ‘Review of Salvage and Intervention and their Command and Control’ following the Braer (1993) and Sea Empress (1996) oil spill incidents. This recommendation was accepted by Government and incorporated in the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations.

Bristol Channel Standing Environment Group

Purpose

The main function of the Standing Environment Group is to prepare for maritime pollution incidents where there is likely to be a threat of sea, land or air pollution. This preparation is to permit the activated Environment Group to provide public health and environmental advice and guidance with minimal delay to all the response groups that will be involved.

In the event of a maritime pollution incident, the group steers the overall incident response with respect to minimising impacts on the environment. This includes the assessment of environmental and public health risks and potential impacts arising from an incident, as well as the implications of any clean up or salvage operations.

BCSEG Formation and Membership

Following guidance from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Bristol Channel Standing Environment Group (BCSEG) was formed in 2001. It is a multi-agency group with its core membership made up of representatives from:

Public Health bodies;
The environmental regulators on both sides of the Severn Estuary, Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales;
The statutory nature conservation body, Natural England;
Fisheries departments of the Marine Management Organisation and Welsh Government;
Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA)
Certain local authorities

During an incident, the composition of the activated Environment Group depends on the nature (magnitude and complexity) and location of the incident. The ‘standing’ member organisations may be added to by representatives from various organisations with relevant expertise such as local authorities, RSPCA, RSPB and sea mammal rescue groups.

The BCSEG is currently chaired by the Environment Agency.

Geographical Coverage

The BCSEG covers the Severn Estuary and Inner Bristol Channel, the water area from Gloucester to the Ogmore Estuary (Welsh shore) and the Somerset – Devon border near Lynmouth.