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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Karen McVeigh

Oil pollution in UK waters far worse than reported, says conservation group

A woman walks on a cliff while out to sea in the background an oil tanker sits
A drilling rig working in UK waters. Oil companies must self-report accidental oil spills and intentional discharges of contaminated water. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

The true extent of oil pollution released into UK waters by the fossil fuel industry has been “significantly underestimated” and it is putting marine wildlife at risk, according to a report released today.

The conservation group Oceana said chronic oiling, defined as frequent, small scale releases, into the North Sea was much higher than estimated due to an “opaque” system of reporting oil discharges and spills.

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