The basic biological effects of oil spillage on coastal ecosystems is quite well documented following the Torrey Canyon and the Santa Barbara, California spills. Both these areas can be expected to be quite different biologically from the Norwegian coasts. The Torrey Canyon oil affected areas of Britain and Brittany are characterised by large tidal ranges and rapid tidal currents, whilst the Pacific coast of the U.S.A. has considerably different ecosystems. Thus although the experience of the above cited spills can be used the biological effects will need to be monitored anew in Norway. The following plan draws on the reports of the above two disasters .