Oil Spill in Gulf

By Sue-Ann Wayow

ANOTHER oil spill has been spotted near Pointe-a-Pierre and a leaking oil line is being blamed.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has launched an investigation following a recorded video that was shared live on social media.

Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) Corporate Secretary Gary Aboud on Sunday aboard a vessel in the Gulf of Paria recorded  scenes of the oil spill along the western coast of Trinidad.

Showing his oil stained hands, Aboud said  a ship to “cut up the oil” with the hope that it would sink but it would still continue to do damage instead of containing the spill using booms.

He complained that for the entire of Sunday, FFOS has been trying to contact Ministry of Energy and other state agencies including the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) but received no response.

“The oil continues to flow,” he lamented.

He described the spill as “ a massive porridge on the ocean’s surface.”

Aboud said, “This oil causes cancer.  Fishermen cannot get any compensation, the fishery is collapsing.”

He also questioned the management’s role  and vented his frustration about the lack of efficient containment.

Pointing to a vessel in the video Aboud said, “They are making circles around it just tearing it up into smaller pieces. They are not collecting it. When you get oil on your net you have to throw away your net. A net costs $40,000.”

Imtiaz Khan, President of the Carli Bay Fishing Association was also on board the vessel.

In a press release on Sunday evening, the EMA stated, “Earlier today, Paria Fuel Trading Company Ltd contacted the EMA and advised of streaks of oil in the Guaracara River resulting from a leaking line that caused crude oil to enter the river. According to Paria Fuel Trading’s report containment measures and deployment of booms were completed to mitigate  the spill.”

The EMA stated, “The EMA has been advised that mostly a sheen was observed in the Gulf of Paria and vessels were used to mechanically break up the sheen. Paria Fuel Trading is still establishing the volume of oil spilled.”

The EMA’s Emergency Response and Investigating Unit if liaising with the Ministry of Energy  and will continue to coordinate will all relevant agencies during its investigations.

Aboud told AZPNews.com on Monday morning that drone surveillance was being conducted and he was awaiting updated reports.

AZPNews.com was also told by fishermen at King’s Wharf, San Fernando that there are not being allowed to venture into the sea as members of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard was also monitoring the scene.