Possibilities and limits of environmental criminal protection: Reflections on the Erika and Prestige cases (or how an organized irresponsibility system carries on)

In a short time difference France and Spain experienced the two most serious maritime pollution disasters in their history. Despite the factual similarities of both accidents and although both countries have harmonized environmental regulations, the legal solutions in each case have been very different. Analysis of the Prestige and Erika cases from a comparative perspective allows the authors to reflect on the possibilities and limitations of the criminal protection of the environment and show the indignation against a global legal system that establishes an organized irresponsibility for sea polluters.