Repair work is set to begin this month on the bund wall at the Blue Lagoon in Poole, marking a new stage in the ongoing recovery of Poole Harbour following the major oil spill that occurred in March 2023.
The Poole Harbour Commissioners announced that the repairs are intended to maintain the structure of the lagoon while protecting the surrounding habitat. As part of this effort, an independent ecological and environmental appraisal has been commissioned to assess the current condition of the site and determine how best to enhance the area for nature.
These works are supported by funding secured after a leak at the Wytch Farm oil field, which released approximately 200 barrels of reservoir fluid into the harbour three years ago. In March 2026, the Environment Agency confirmed that a 6.1 million pound enforcement undertaking had been secured from Perenco UK Ltd to address the environmental impact of the incident.
This financial agreement covers several areas of recovery, including initial incident response, clean-up operations, compensation for affected parties such as local seafood businesses, and ongoing environmental monitoring. A portion of these funds is being directed toward conservation projects across the harbour, which is a protected site of international importance known for its diverse wildlife and sensitive habitats.
Other organisations set to benefit from the recovery funding include the Dorset Wildlife Trust, The Friends of Dolphin, Birds of Poole Harbour, and Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. These groups will use the resources to support projects ranging from wetland restoration and habitat protection to improved facilities for rescued wildlife and accessible transport on the water.
Captain Brian Murphy, Chief Executive of the Poole Harbour Commissioners, noted the importance of the harbour as a highly protected site and emphasised the ongoing commitment to ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the local environment.
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