The study, conducted by an independent team of experts, was undertaken to understand the true impact of recreational activities on the marine and aquatic environment, taking full account of other pollution sources and pressures.

The study concluded that land-based human activities account for 77% of all marine pollution. Dumping at sea accounts for a further 10%, with another 1% coming from offshore oil exploration and drilling.

Only 12% of marine pollution can be attributed to sea-based activities — namely maritime transport, transporting hydrocarbons and other hazardous products, port activities and accidents such as oil spills, degassing and other releases.

Small craft (less than 24m and including commercial/fishing vessels) account for just 2% of oil pollution of the marine environment.

Within this segment recreational craft represent only a small proportion. So that’s a few percent of 2%, then.

The report also highlights the fact that engine emissions from recreational craft are constantly reducing in the face of increased legislation and technological advances.

‘It is frequently easier to blame the visible recreational activities rather than the unseen but far more insidious land based and commercial marine practices,’ the report states.

The report concludes: ‘Despite the lack of concrete date, it is estimated that recreational marine activities amount at most to a fraction of one per cent of the total (of marine pollution).’

The ECNI was founded in April 2004 to represent the European interests of the French, German and Belgian industry at EU and international level.

Well done the French, German and Belgian marine industries, says BB. Hopefully their (no doubt expensive) report will help set the record straight where it matters.