Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 6 hrs ago
Oil slicks repeatedly entered marine protected areas, analysis finds
From 2022 to 2025, oil slicks from ships and offshore oil operations repeatedly drifted into marine protected areas around the world.
SkyTruth, a U.S.-based nonprofit, used satellite images to detect dozens of slicks covering hundreds of square kilometers in protected waters.
Wind and currents can carry oil into protected areas even when a spill begins outside them.
The worst pollution recorded was in the waters of Conkouati-Douli National Park on the coast of the Republic of Congo, where 27 slicks covered 880 square kilometers.
The affected waters are home to marine mammals, sharks, rays and nesting sea turtles.
Oil can harm marine life, and contaminants may move through the food chain, though the effects of long-term, low-level exposure are less understood.
The findings raise questions about how well protected areas are monitored and managed, but no specific next steps are described.
Oil slicks from vessels and offshore oil operations repeatedly entered marine protected areas worldwide between 2022 and 2025, a new analysis found.
Researchers from SkyTruth detected dozens of slicks covering hundreds of square kilometers in protected waters.
The worst recorded pollution was in the waters of Conkouati-Douli National Park in the Republic of Congo, where 27 slicks covered 880 square kilometers.
The analysis raises concerns about effects on marine habitats and species, including whales, dolphins and sea turtles.
SkyTruth CEO John Amos said wind and currents can carry pollution into protected areas from outside their boundaries.
- Who
- Researchers from SkyTruth, a U.S.-based nonprofit, conducted the analysis.
- What
- The analysis found that oil slicks repeatedly drifted into marine protected areas around the world.
- When
- Between 2022 and 2025.
- Where
- Marine protected areas around the world, including waters off the Republic of Congo, in the Mediterranean and off Romania.
- Why
- Slicks came from vessels and offshore oil and gas operations, and wind and currents can carry them into protected areas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We’re seeing persistent, repeated, chronic oil pollution in many parts of the ocean from shipping and offshore oil and gas operations
Wind and current blow them around out in the ocean, so even if the pollution event that occurs is outside a marine protected area, that pollution could drift into the protected area.
It’s one thing to designate an area a marine protected area
Fundamentally, oil is toxic to marine life
Oil slicks repeatedly drifted into marine protected areas around the world, according to the analysis.
Mongabay reported on the analysis by SkyTruth.
- Study period
- 2022–2025
- Conkouati-Douli National Park
- 27 slicks covering 880 square kilometers
- Spain’s Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor
- 45 slicks, all from vessels
- Pelagos Sanctuary
- 26 slicks
- Romania’s adjacent protected areas
- 67 slicks covering 263 km²
Sources
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