Ecological
impacts of accidental marine pollutions on benthic environment:
assessments and prospects
October 12-14 2005, Brest
In the wake of a study entitled “Analysis of methods used for impact assessment following an oil spill”, Cedre organized a conference on October 12-14th, 2005, in Brest (France). Including round table sessions, this event allowed discussions about lessons learnt, and the current points of views, regarding the benthic effects assessment studies.
Wednesday, October 12th 2005
Welcome of participants, Cedre
presentation (Christophe Rousseau,
Cedre)
General
presentation of the conference
Context and objectives of the study “Analysis
of ecological impact assessment methods and strategies
following major oil spills (Franck Laruelle, Cedre).
"The ecological damage assessment:
points of view"
- International
point of view (Brian Dicks, ITOPF)
- National
point of view (Michel Girin, Cedre)
"Management of oil spills impact assessment
programs"
methodologies, gaps regarding post-oil spills monitoring
of benthic environment:
- Experience
and lessons learnt in France (Loïc Kerambrun,
Cedre)
- Experience
and lessons learnt in the United Kingdom (Robin
Law, CEFAS)
"Synthesis
on benthic environment monitorings" (Ivan
Calvez, Cedre)
Recurrent difficulties ; (Dis)similarities in approaches
between six studied cases.
Thursday, October 13th 2005
"What
is going on, at present time"
A recent incident in Europe: The Prestige oil spill
(2002, Spain) (Xoán Nóvoa Rodríguez,
CEPRECO)
"Connecting accidental impacts assessment and
benthic monitoring programs?"
- in
France (Brigitte Guillaumont, ReBENT/IFREMER)
- in
the United Kingdom (Keith Hiscock, MarLIN/MBA)
Round table sessions
Introduction
Session 1: "Is
the existing situation satisfactory?"(Michel
Glémarec/Franck Laruelle)
General lacks; alternatives and proposals (e.g. baseline
data; control sites vs. historical data?; integration
in monitoring programs…)
Session 2: "What methods for
what objectives?"
a) The
various monitoring approaches (ecology, contamination,
biomarkers, biological targets, etc) according to the
aim. (Robin Law/Ivan Calvez)
b) Level
of accuracy required: spatial and/or temporal scale;
biological level (individuals, populations, species,
benthic communities), … (Keith Hiscock/Loïc
Kérambrun)
Session 3: "Funding of impact
assessments" (Michel Girin/Brian
Dicks)
Validated
existing methods (scope, designs and costs) suitable
for integration in national contingency planning frameworks,
and reimbursement criteria…
Friday, October 14th 2005
Closing
statement