A new interactive oil spill map exposes the shocking scale of toxic pollution in UK waters, revealing more than 82,000 kg of oil and 149,700 kg of chemicals spilled in 2024 alone.
For the first time, the public can now track individual spills, using the map devised by international organisation Oceana, to see which companies are responsible and check if action has been taken.
Many spills occur near marine protected areas, putting wildlife like dolphins, whales and seabirds at risk.
One of the largest spills recorded was in the Alba oil field off Scotland, where 11,170 kg of chemicals, including a highly toxic biocide, were dumped in waters home to declining harbour porpoises, minke whales and white-beaked dolphins.
Despite the serious environmental threat, no formal investigation has taken place and Oceana UK has had to escalate a complaint after the government failed to respond to a Freedom of Information request.
Oil spills don’t just disappear. Toxic contamination can cause lung disease in dolphins, cancer in seabirds and severe deformities in fish, yet ‘Big Oi’l continues to use UK waters as a dumping ground, warns Oceana.
“This sickening level of toxic pollution should be headline news,” says Naomi Tilley, Oil & Gas Campaign Lead for Oceana UK. “We urge everyone who cares about our ocean to use the map to help us expose this hidden outrage.”
With 71% of UK adults lacking trust in regulators to protect marine life, the case for ending new oil and gas projects is stronger than ever says the group.
Copyright © 2025 Energy Live News LtdELN
