In economic terms, concern over oil pollution reduced bookings to the coastal resorts which rely heavily on the seasonal tourist trade. The French Government had to mount a major clean-up operation along the coast. However, despite the provision of huge resources, a fear of the carcinogenic effects of the deadly oil remained for some time. A constituent of mine who is familiar with the area, told me of the terrible effect the disaster has had on the region. A favourite pastime of the local population was to walk out along the shore at low tide and collect the wild oysters from the rich beds. They would come back to their village carrying buckets full of oysters, a natural bonus to those lucky enough to live in the area. The Erika disaster put paid this. While financial compensation might help the affected population economically, no amount of money could compensate them for the psychological damage a simple coastal community suffered because of this disaster.