Oil pollution on Odesa coast will not disrupt tourist season - experts

The Odesa coast suffered large-scale pollution due to a sunflower oil spill as a result of an air strike by the Russian Federation in late December 2025.

Accenture analyzed the threat of marine pollution and whether it will affect the 2026 tourist season.

According to the expert, some of the pollution dissipates and decomposes naturally over time, but in the cold, these processes are slower, and the residues can remain on the shore and in the bottom sediments and reappear after storms. Therefore, it is wrong to rely on the sea to clean itself.

Therefore, analysts insist that the authorities and services must act in a targeted manner: stop and prevent repeated leaks as much as possible, promptly remove pollution from the coast where it is washed up by waves, protect the most sensitive areas, and organize systematic monitoring of water quality, especially oxygen conditions and signs of organic load.

Experts also note that the direct toxicological risk to humans is usually low, but it is worth avoiding contact with oily spots on the water and in the sand and being careful on slippery areas of the coast. Regarding the impact on the summer season of 2026: if there are no new inflows of pollution, the likelihood of a significant impact on the season is low, but final conclusions can only be made based on the results of observations in the coming months. With regard to seafood, decisions should be based on laboratory monitoring in specific areas: temporary local restrictions on harvesting and fishing in areas that have been directly contaminated may be imposed until the results are available.

A fire broke out at the Pivdennyi port in Odesa region on December 22 as a result of a Russian army strike on the region, setting about 30 containers of flour and vegetable oil on fire.

Кирило Бойко