The oiling of marine wildlife does not happen naturally. Although there are places in the world where oil comes out of the sea floor as a natural geological phenomenon (natural seeps), in most cases marine wildlife becomes oiled as a result of an accidental or deliberate spill caused by man. The stranding oiled wildlife in most countries is therefore an indication that something is wrong at sea.

The image of an oiled marine animal is always thankfully used by media to emphasise the dramatic consequences of an oil spill. It is often by these symbolic pictures that the public and politicians become emotionally triggered and engaged.
 

Oil spills should be avoided, which in the end is the best remedy to prevent marine wildlife of getting oiled. But when a spill happens, there are some challenges that immediately appear: