Report of the ICES Working Group On Pollution of the North Sea

There is growing concern regarding the possibility of lasting damage being done by pollution to the marine environment and its living resources. An essential preliminary to the development of rational protective or ameliorative action is the assembly of factual information regarding pollutants and their effects. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea decided in 1967 to begin this task by setting up, a Working Group to cover the North Sea and adjacent waters; the results of our efforts are to be seen in this report, which we believe provides a sound basis for an appreciation of the situation and for the development of the necessary additional research programmes.The selected bibliography is likely to prove of lasting value.