RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Cedros fishermen have been given clearance to return to the sea after an oil spill disrupted their livelihood.
Heritage Petroleum Company Limited in a statement issued yesterday said clean-up and surveillance continued along the Cedros coastline, with Incident Management Teams and contractors on-site restoring affected areas.
The company said there were no visible hydrocarbons offshore. Ongoing drone and vessel surveillance were also done to verify that the cleanup was complete.
“Company officials continue to engage and work alongside the fisherfolk, who have been given the all-clear to resume their activities out at sea.
“We continue to update the regulatory bodies including the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI), the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA), and other marine stakeholders,” Heritage said.
More than 100 fishermen and over 30 boats were impacted by the spill, which washed ashore on Wednesday. Fishermen staged a protest on Thursday and called for swift compensation, noting the damage to boats, ropes, and marine life. Some expressed concerns about using extra fuel and the risks of being at sea during the holiday season.
The fishermen said this spill is one of the worst in recent times. Fisherman Lyndon Gay noted that oil deposits were visible as they prepared to go out to sea, with ropes and equipment stained. Randy Sooklal raised concerns about marine pollution, saying that oil spills negatively affect fish populations and take months to recover.
Boat owners urged Heritage to compensate them swiftly, citing delays after previous spills.
Siparia Deputy Mayor and Cedros councillor Shankar Teelucksingh said while Heritage responded to the spill, there was a need for preventative measures due to ageing infrastructure. The source of the spill has not yet been determined.