Verscheidene illegale olielozingen in winter 2008/09: incidenten met Zeekoeten op de kust

Common Guillemots are an indicator species in the North Sea; oil-rates of stranded birds on beaches are thought to reflect levels of chronic oil pollution in nearby waters. A gradual decline in oil-rates was found since the mid-1970s, but rather high levels were reported in the most recent winter. It is concluded that illegal offshore spills must have been responsible for the finds.