Oiled wildlife response and preparedness is increasingly recognised as a key issue that needs to be fully integrated into existing response plans and preparedness programmes for marine pollution incidents. In Europe, Regional Conventions have started encouraging their Contracting Parties to develop oiled wildlife response plans and have agreed instruments that allow international cooperation in the case of incidents. The number of countries that have agreed oiled wildlife response plans is growing.

The various international key players listed here have used their influence to actively enhance that process of acceptance and increasingly the effects of those efforts become visible.  These key players  often work together in sharing experiences and developing guidelines for good practice.