The Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group (SOTEAG) has initiated a programme of environmental monitoring in Sullom Voe, which is funded by the Sullom Voe Association Ltd (S.V.A.Ltd). Its aim is to provide a continuing check on the effectiveness of the regulatory measures in operation at the terminal by providing early warning of harmful environmental effects due to the anticipated low-level, continuous discharge of predominantly oily water effluents and occasional accidental spills. In designing a programme the limitations of available methods for monitoring the biota so as to detect the effects of chronic pollution have been recognised. The programme adopts an integrated approach based on regular quantitative surveys of selected key marine habitats or biota, including rocky shore, soft shore, salt marsh and benthos associated with a programme to monitor levels of hydrocarbons and heavy metals in sediments and the tissues of selected target organisms. The network of sites and sampling stations has been planned to measure gradients of effect over a wide area having the terminal as its focus and primary source of effluent. The programme also includes projects to monitor atmospheric pollution (SO2) and ornithological monitoring. A flexible approach has been adopted and the programme will be modified in the light of experience and circumstances. Results are reported on annually to SOTEAG's Monitoring Committee which oversees the programme and interprets the results for submission to SOTEAG and then to S.V.A. Ltd.