Vale"s pollution risk (From Penarth Times)

Vale"s pollution risk

A NEW study by the Environment Agency has pinpointed the Vale of Glamorgan coastline as one of the areas most at risk in the UK from "diffuse pollution".

The study entitled "The State of the Marine Environment Report" says that the Vale coast is not classed as a poor quality environment now, but due to diffuse pollution pressures is at risk of not achieving "Good Ecological Status" by 2015.

Diffuse pollution is a term used to describe pollution of the environment from many small or scattered sources.

The study says: "For the marine environment, the diffuse pollution run-off from land can carry various pollutants.

"These range from nutrients washed off farmland to oil and other chemicals from urban areas. Unlike pollution from industry diffuse pollution inputs are generally unregulated.

"Shipping produces waste including oil, sewage, rubbish and ballast water. Apart from major oil spills there is little information on the effects of accidental and illegal releases of oil and fuel from ships and small craft in coastal waters."

The study also concludes that climate change has replaced pollution and overfishing as the biggest threat to Britain's coasts.

Barbara Young, the agency's chief executive, said: "The good news is that major historical issues such as sewage pollution are being addressed and their impact reduced.

"Sadly, other impacts, such as climate change, are becoming an increasing threat to the marine environment and those that depend on it."

The Environment Agency estimates that climate change could increase by between four and tenfold the risk of flooding unless more money is spent on reinforcing coastal defences.

Dr Helen Phillips, director of Environment Agency Wales, confirms: "Our coasts and seas are under pressure. Fish stocks are decreasing. The climate is warming up and marine ecosystems are changing in response."

Last Wednesday, Dr Helen Phillips was joined by Morgan Parry, head of WWF Cymru, and Carwyn Jones AM, Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, at the National Assembly for Wales to formally launch Wales' first marine strategy - Cleaner Coasts, Healthier Seas: Working for a Better Marine Environment - Our strategy for 2005-2011.