The issue of oiled wildlife response and preparedness usually concentrates exclusively on certain macrovertebrates, particularly sea and coastal birds, marine mammals (such as seals, otters, dolphins and whales) and marine reptiles (such as sea turtles). This seems unlogical, but is understandable because these animals:

- are dependent on the sea water surface to rest, feed (birds) and breathe (marine mammals, sea turtles) and therefore are particularly vulnerable to oiling.

- may wash ashore and therefore are the most visible victims of the oil spill. They are valued by the public, and considered as ambassadors of the values of a healthy marine ecosystem as a whole.

- are normally the subject of scientific research programmes and scientists will have an interest in systematically collecting, counting and studying the dead and live animals to make a reliable impact assessment

- may have a protected status if they are a species of national or international conservation value. In such cases the spill immediately attracts international attention. The animals found dead or alive will require special treatment and will need special consideration in a response plan

- are picked up in some countries by specialised organisations who attempt to rescue, clean and rehabilitate them. These attempts normally receive strong support from the public.

Other marine animals

Marine animals that are less dependent of the sea surface (such as most fish species and most marine invertebrates) are less likely to be immediately affected by floating oil. When the oil does not float, or has been dispersed, it may affect marine creatures living in the water column or on the seafloor. However the natural history and behaviour of fish and invertebrates do not allow any specific strategies or techniques by which their oiling in such cases can be prevented. Relatively few of these animals will wash ashore after their oiling and therefore do not require dedicated strategies or logistics as part of a wildlife response.