Action on sea pollution sought to ensure survival of marine species

The sight of dolphins and other rare marine species on the Irish coastline could soon be no more, unless the OSPAR commission tightens controls on toxic waste discharges into the north-east Atlantic, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Some of the most exotic sea creatures around Irish and British coasts, and some hundreds of species in total, are threatened by large-scale dumping of industrial chemicals, heavy metals and oil pollution, the head of WWF's marine unit, Ms Sian Pullen, said yesterday.

WWF is demanding that OSPAR set definitive targets to stop discharges and is particularly disturbed at their toll on the Celtic Sea, south of Ireland.

Not only is it an important spawning ground for commercial fish species such as mackerel, research has confirmed its international significance for minke whales, many bird species and for the diversity of its plankton on which so much of the marine foodchain depends.

The place of dolphins and orcas - also known as killer whales - at the top of that foodchain is at risk because toxic chemicals accumulate in their body fat and this takes its toll on their immunity and ability to breed.

WWF proposed special protection areas - four of which are close to Ireland. They include the Celtic Sea; the Rockall Bank (for its coral, anemones, and blue whiting), the Irish Sea (because of the threat to basking sharks, crustaceans, polychaete worms, razorbills and guillemots), and Cardigan Bay Sarns near the Welsh coast.

Among the rarer species thriving around the Irish coast, it says, are the sea gooseberry, a small jellyfish that lassoes its prey; Bloody Henry, a voracious predator starfish that devours oysters, and the sea mouse, an incandescent gold green worm.

Contrary to public perception, Ms Pullen says, there is myriad coral in northern waters showing decline due to human activity. "Until recently, they were undisturbed by human activity, but now trawlers and oil/gas extraction are all taking their toll."

Closer to shore, she added, industrial chemicals with some of the more lethal heavy metals - arsenic, mercury and copper - were wiping out the sea bed in many instances. "More than 70 per cent of pollution starts on land, entering the sea via rivers, agricultural run-off and the atmosphere."

Although deliberate dumping is now banned, European seas are still being used as a rubbish dump, chiefly arising from oil/gas extraction and shipping.

The Irish environmental group, Voice, welcomed OSPAR plans to reduce hazardous waste, but stressed that Irish commitment had to be reflected in an action plan "to make aspiration a reality".

The Environmental Protection Agency's licensing of industry required tracking of about 40 chemicals, according to Voice spokeswoman, Ms Iva Pocock. The new OSPAR annex would list several hundred hazardous chemicals requiring "priority action". Given that, in addition, many Irish industries had yet to come under the EPA, "Ireland has a lot of catching-up to do".