Response Options

Responding to an oiled wildlife incident may involve an attempt to prevent wildlife from becoming oiled and/or the treatment of animals if they do become oiled. Some guidance on the various response options is given in the table below.

Aim	Actions that can be considered	What is “best practice”?	Handbooks and Guidelines that provide guidance
Prevent and minimise impacts on wildlife populations	Oil Combat at sea	Oil spill response plan Availability of vulnerability maps that include (seasonal) distribution of vulnerable wildlife at sea Pre-identified biologists to assist with aerial surveillance and interpretation of real-time field data	Handbook Wildlife Impact Assessment Guide to Oiled Wildlife Response Planning
	Protect sensitive areas (booming off)	Availability of vulnerability maps that include (seasonal) distribution of vulnerable wildlife in coastal areas	Handbook Wildlife Impact Assessment
	Deterrence and hazing	Have predefined plans in place with reference to effective species specific methods	North American handbooks: Bird Hazing Manual
	Pre-emptive capture	Having predefined plans in place, which include directions for the treatment and fate of captured animals	Case studies in literature
Prevent the continued suffering of individual oiled animals	(Live animals) capture, clean, rehabilitate and release	Systematically search beaches Operate rehabilitation facilities using internationally approved methodologies/ protocols Apply agreed triage criteria Band animals that are ready to be released Conduct post release monitoring research	Handbook on rehabilitation of oiled wildlife Guide to oiled wildlife response planning
Prevent the continued suffering of individual oiled animals	(Live animals) capture, euthanise humanely	Systematically search beaches Operate euthanasia facilities Have agreed euthanasia techniques	Handbook on good practice for oiled wildlife rehabilitation Guide to oiled wildlife response planning
Assess impacts on wildlife populations	(Dead animals) collect, quatify mortality per species	Systematically search beaches	Handbook Wildlife Impact Assessment
Coordinated involvement of multiple stakeholders, including NGO’s and volunteers	Operate a pre-spill defined plan Have formal agreements with authorities and stakeholders in place	Develop and agree an OWR plan before the incident, involving all responders within a clear integrated command structure Have regular training and exercises based on the plan	Guide to oiled wildlife response planning Examples from various countries in Europe
Health, Safety and Environment	Health and safety of responders at all times as a matter of highest priority Minimise polluted waste and avoid secondary pollution	No wildlife response if health and safety of the responders cannot be guaranteed Require minimum level of training from all accredited responders Instruct and supervise volunteers Provide protective clothing	Guide to oiled wildlife response planning Examples from various countries in Europe

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