18 August 2006 -The Secretariat of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) is concerned about the possible impact the oil spill affecting the coastal environments of Lebanon and Syria may have on some migratory waterbirds and the condition of the coastal habitats on which they depend.

Although early reports indicate no significant immediate impact on populations of migratory waterbirds resulting from the oil spill, there is concern that the situation could deteriorate in the very near future when the autumn migration starts and over wintering marine and coastal birds start arriving in the affected region and other migrants utilize the coast for foraging.

"Even though the crisis continues to first and foremost be a humanitarian one, we strongly support recent efforts by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), UNEP and others to try to address and highlight the environmental catastrophe produced by this oil spill in the eastern Mediterranean" said Bert Lenten, Executive Secretary of AEWA.

At least two of AEWA's Contracting Parties are potentially affected by the oil spill and the polluted region lies at the center of a key migration route for many waterbirds traveling between Eurasia and Africa.

In an effort to assist affected countries cope with the environmental damage caused by the oil spill and to help tackle any possible future emergency situation for migratory waterbirds, the AEWA Secretariat has begun to consolidate relevant information on its website relating to the oil spill and migratory waterbirds as it becomes available. [further information]