Frequently the only response to an oil spill is to wait until
the oil arrives on the coast and be prepared for cleanup of the
affected coastal environments. Many of the methods of cleanup
are efficient in the removal of oil from the environment, but
they have a heavy impact on the biological community several
times worse than the oil itself. Therefore, the form of cleanup
is also a relevant factor upon considering the degree of impact
of an oil spill. Our initial thought should be that the oil has
caused damage to the environment to a lesser or greater extent.
We now have to clean up this oil causing the minimum possible
damage. This can only be done by the close cooperation of oil
spill response professionals and environmental agencies to
arrive at the best solution to the problem. It is the duty of
the Planning Team to notify those in command of the strategy to
be adopted. The selection of the methods to be used is a very
important stage in the response planning cycle. To take the
correct decision early can