To dump structures, such as the Brent Spar, in areas of high marine biodiversity with poorly understood ecology infringes the precautionary principle and presents unknown environmental risks. To do so would set dangerous precedents for future dumping of wastes at sea. It ignores the impact of many similar decisions which would be taken in isolation without consideration of their cumulative effect. It amounts to a reversal of promises made when development of North Sea oil began.

The availability of the `quick and dirty' dumping option reduces the incentive to pursue innovative decommissioning and recycling options. Further, it flies in the face of growing international political and public consensus not to use the sea as a dump for wastes.

The map left follows the course of the new Greenpeace ship M.V. Arctic Sunrise on its fact finding tour of North Sea Oil installations.