Environmental monitoring at an oil terminal: the Shetland Experience

Environmental management and monitoring at Europe’s largest oil loading terminal in Sullom Voe, Shetland, is one of the functions of the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group (SOTEAG), a unique collaboration between the oil industry, the local authority, central government, environmental agencies and local interests. SOTEAG will present the results of its independent, integrated monitoring programmes from 1974 to the present day, in a series of papers covering chemical and biological monitoring in the marine environment. Emphasis will be on the interpretation of the results and assessment of the effects of the oil industry operations on the environment of Sullom Voe. An expert panel discussion on the principles, concepts and requirements of monitoring will conclude the meeting. The conference will be held 21-22 September 1993, Wolfson Theatre, 22, 24 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PQ. According to the 10 Sep 1992 draft programme, speakers will include: G.M. Dunnet (The Shetland environment, the development of SVEAG, evolution of SOTEAG and development of the SOTEAG monitoring strategy), S. May, T. Pearson & S. Westwood (Macrobenthos), J. Widdows et al. (Sub-lethal biological effects monitoring), J. Ottaway (Oil exploration, production and transportation, and environmental monitoring in Western Australia), G.M. Dunnet & M. Heubeck (Ornithology – Monitoring of breeding seabirds/Eider Duck), M. Heubeck (Ornithology – Shetland beached bird surveys/European context), J. Moore et al. (Rocky shores), A. Jones (Soft shore biology), D.H. Dalby (Salt marshes), P. Foxton & M. Heubeck (Response to the Esso Bernicia Oil Spill; incl. Otters, Black Guillemots, Red-throated Divers, sheep).