Amoco Cadiz: Twenty, then thirty, years later
While 1998 marked the twentieth anniversary of the Amoco Cadiz disaster,
the last ecological studies showed remaining imbalances in certain
benthic populations in the most remote areas of the damaged bays.
However, this oil slick has become a distant memory for the fishing
and tourism industries and for the other economical activities.
Considerable concern had been expressed about long-term effects
on certain species, the development of cancer in surviving animals,
a decrease in their reproduction capacities and a weakening of generations
born after the accident, however scientific follow-ups did not confirm
any hypotheses in these domains. A large number of complex effects
were observed, which were difficult to interpret and that could
not be solely attributed to the Amoco Cadiz pollution, as other
factors also affected the shoreline economic and ecological equilibrium
year after year. Other oil slicks had occured, tourist demands had
evolved, fishing techniques and priorities had changed, urban and
farm pollutant spills appeared on the coast line. The shipwreck
became a new “home” for fish and crustaceans and a place
for experienced divers to explore.
Today, the Amoco Cadiz oil spill is definitely part of the history.
The symbol of Portsall is the vessel’s anchor, sealed on the
port, in front of which all tourists in the area take a souvenir
photo.