The oil tanker “Braer” grounded off the southern-most coast of the Shetland Islands. 84,000 tonnes of crude oil was spilt. MEP was responsible for all technical assessment of the impact of the oil spill on fisheries and aquaculture industries of the Shetland Islands (total annual turnover $150 million). Detailed assessments were made of the contamination levels of farmed and wild fish and the economic impact of a fisheries exclusion zone. MEP advised insurers on strategic decisions on farm management and loss mitigation, negotiated and supervised the destruction and sale of farmed salmon and of compensation payments. The team also undertook surveys to assess short and long term damage to fish stocks. Economic impacts on fishing vessels and processing companies were undertaken and impacts on markets quantified.
