ABSTRACT
To avoid large-scale marine oil pollution, France took certain legal and technical measures to protect its coastline and to implement an organization specifically to respond to oil slicks. These measures emphasize the prevention of accidents. They entail, on one hand, a legal basis integrated with international maritime regulations, and, on the other, methods for surveillance of navigation and for intervention.
The organization for marine pollution control distinguishes pollution at sea from pollution on land and allocates responsibilities accordingly.
On the local level, unity of action is based on the competences of the two authorities who have state authority for civilian action, at sea for one, and on land for the other (the “Préfet Maritime” at sea and the “Commissaire de la République du Département” on land).