Zero tolerance for North Sea leaks

10 December 2003

BRUSSELS – Belgian Minister for the North Sea, Johan Vande Lanotte, has announced plans to use cameras to bring a stop to illegal oil discharges in the North Sea.

Currently, one manned aircraft flies 250 hours of surveillance missions each year, but Vande Lanotte wants to use unmanned aircraft, satellites and radars to monitor the country’s territorial waters. 

Vande Lanotte wants a zero tolerance approach towards illegal discharges, with stiff fines paid into a special environment fund, and cases dealt with by specialised magistrates.

Each year, there are some 50 illegal oil discharges in Belgian waters, with vessels often using seawater to rinse their tanks. 

Since 1991, 26 dossiers have been opened, but only five have ended in prosecution. 

Subject: Belgian news