Oil pollution incidents in the inshore Moray Firth 1975–84 and Cromarty Firth 1970–84 are reviewed, describing the levels, geographical patterns, trends and some impacts.

Growth in oil-related activity in the inshore Moray and Cromarty Firths has not led to increased levels of oil pollution. In the Cromarty Firth the majority of incidents since 1970 have been from long-established shore-based sources, while the frequency of incidents and their impact have diminished over the last few years from levels in the early-raid 1970s which were very unsatisfactory. Incident levels in the inshore Moray Firth have also reduced since 1980.

While no major environmental damage has resulted from oil pollution in this area, important wildlife resources, and in particular bird populations, have been shown in individual incidents to be extremely vulnerable to relatively small quantities of oil. It is thus important that continued attention is given to the prevention and treatment of oil pollution in this area and the strict procedures pertaining to oil exploration and production and operation of marine traffic should be maintained.