Cooperation with Oil Spill Response

In October 2005, Sea Alarm embarked on a long term programme with Oil Spill Response (formerly OSRL/EARL) to further the development of global oiled wildlife response capabilities. This joint initiative has enabled both parties to benefit from each other’s expertise and experience, and has also provided essential funding for the continuation of Sea Alarm’s work.

Please see the section on Oil Spill Response  for detailed information on the programme components.

Support from the Maritime Industry

Sea Alarm was honoured to be one of the beneficiaries of the first edition of the independent bike ride Tour Pour La Mer in 2006, a fundraising event organised by the maritime industry.

The total donation from the event, over €80,000, was set aside exclusively for developing preparedness in Europe, resulting in the creation of the Sea Alarm Development and Emergency Fund. The Fund has been used to support several activities, including granting individual scholarships and travel bursaries, and covering intervention costs.

European Commission Grants

Sea Alarm has been involved in the following projects co-funded by the European Commission:

The 2006 initiative to develop a European Oiled Wildlife Response Plan, co-financed by the European Commission. The initiative was comprised of three separate projects, each with a corresponding workshop and resulted in the production of the Handbook on Oiled Bird Rehabilitation, the Handbook on Impact assessment, and the website http://www.oiledwilife.eu/.

The Reducing the Impact of Oil Spills (RIOS) Project, which was started in 2007, with the aim of developing an action plan for future research in the area of rehabilitation of oiled animals and to stimulate contacts and future cooperation. Sea Alarm is one of three consortium members of the RIOS Project.

In 2009 Sea Alarm received an NGO Operating Grant from the European Commission. The grant allowed Sea Alarm to start EMPOWER and to carry out many activities to increase Europe’s preparedness to oiled wildlife responses.

Other Sources

Since its establishment, the following organisations have provided funding for Sea Alarm’s activities in the form of grants for projects or paid consultancies:

• Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries
• Stichting DOEN
• HRH Prince Bernhard
• ING Bank
• Shell International Trading
• Shell Netherlands
• International Tanker Owner Pollution Federation (ITOPF)
• International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA)
• London Steamship Mutual
• International Group of P&I Clubs
• Intertanko
• Dutch North Sea Directorate
• TotalFinaElf
• BP
• Province of West-Flandres
• WWF

Much remains to be done to protect wildlife from the damaging effects of oil pollution, and with your support, we can make an even greater difference. Please consider making a contribution to Sea Alarm to help us continue our vital work.