Statistics show that a total of 8l accidents happened in the area of which 14 were collisions and 16 groundings.

In 1990 the crude oil carrier Khark V produced a pollution of more than 10,000 tons of heavy crude oil.

In 1993 there was a collision between the crude oil tanker Hesperius and the chemical tanker Sea Spirit.

More recently a ferry and a gas tanker collided off Ceuta port without loss of life or pollution but the fact was enough to reveal what might happen if additional measures were not prepared to reduce these dangers.

This background led Spain to take considerable steps with regard to the routeing of ships and preventive intervention schemes with a view to protecting its environment and to enhancing maritime safety in the Strait of Gibraltar.

From the Spanish perspective although to date the measures have prevented fresh disasters and limited the damage causes by incidents which have taken place, there is still a high risk in the Strait and Spain considers that it is crucial to supplement and render more effectively its preventive scheme through the establishment of a mandatory reporting system.

STATEMENT BY THE SPANISH DELEGATION TO JUSTIFY
THE NEED OF MANDATORY SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM
IN THE FINISTERRE TSS AREA

1  Particulars of the navigation in the area

-  Number of merchant vessels transiting the area                50,000 per year

-  Voluntary reporting rate                                                             20%

-  Rate of vessels declaring hazardous cargoes                       36%

2  Characteristics of the area covered

-  High percentage of strong westerly gales with strong easterly currents;

-  High percentage of moderate to poor visibility in the area;

-  Rich fishing grounds and fishing farms on the coast with an important fishing activity both ashore and at sea;

-  High density of population in the coast increased during summer season due to the touristic and natural appeals;

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