As a consequence of the social alarm provoked by the Prestige Disaster, in the 2003–2004 period a Commissioner was created for actions resulting from the catastrophe of the MV "Prestige", with the rank of Secretary of State, supported by the Office of the Commissioner and functionally dependent on the Minister of the Presidency. The position was occupied by Rodolfo Martín Villa. The successor of this body the Center for the Prevention and Fight against Maritime and Coastal Pollution was included in the structure of the Ministry, with the rank of Directorate-General and whose competences passed in 2008 to the Ministry of Environment.