Pajapan, Veracruz — Over a dozen Mexico beaches have been reported contaminated by oil from an unknown spill. The blobs of oil and tar began washing up on the coast of Veracruz several days ago. Since March 1, more than a dozen beaches between the states of Veracruz and Tabasco have been affected.
Official reports say the black mass has reached 16 beaches from Veracruz to Tabasco. The spill has left nearly 200 fishermen in suspended work. On March 1, thick layer of tar and crude oil began to appear and has now spread to nearly 170 kilometers of coastline.
The oil has forced nearly 200 fishermen to suspend operations due to boat and net damage as well as contamination. Fishermen in areas such as Sánchez Magallanes are reporting damage to their nets and boats, which has paralyzed fishing activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
While the crude oil pollution extends from the municipality of Pajapan, Veracruz, to Paraíso, Tabasco, there is no official information determining the source of the spill.
Local authorities and maritime workers have been seen on beaches, however, no clear answers have been made public regarding the environmental disaster.
Since March 1, at least 16 coastal locations between Pajapan, Veracruz and Paraíso, Tabasco have been reported with the presence of tar on the beaches and/or in the sea.
There have also been reports of deaths of turtles, manatees and fish, as well as losses and possible health impacts on fishing communities.
On March 1st, the presence of tar, a derivative of crude oil, has been reported on beaches and lagoons from Pajapan, Veracruz, to Paraíso, Tabasco. Along this nearly 170-kilometer coastline, fishermen have also reported the presence of oil in the sea, which has stuck to their nets and boats.
The sixteen affected sites reported to date are Punta San Juan, Playa Linda, Zapotitlán, Tecuanapan and Jicacal beaches, as well as La Bocana, Paquital, Punta Huazuntlán, and Bocana Rio Temoloapan in the Ostión Lagoon in Pajapan, Veracruz.
Los Arrecifes and El Salado in Mecayapan, Veracruz, Peña Hermosa and Mirador Pilapa in Tatahuicapan, Veracruz, Barrillas in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz and Barra Panteones in Paraíso and Sánchez Magallanes, Tabasco.
In the Ostión Lagoon, oil has been detected with the presence of tar reaching as far as Paquital, a lagoon vital for marine life. As a result of this situation, several dead turtles covered in oil have been found in the community of Los Arrecifes, a dead manatee was found in Coatzacoalcos, and some communities have reported affected fish.
Currently, there is insufficient information to assess the impact on the 17 reefs in the area that form part of the Southwest Gulf of Mexico Reef Corridor, a rich ecosystem that provides food, shelter for marine species, protection from hurricanes, recreation, and is a significant ecotourism destination.
The relevant authorities have not reported on the origin of the oil spilled into the sea and onto the beaches.
Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) has disclaimed responsibility, stating in a March 2nd press release that it rules out “any leak or oil spill on the beaches of southern Veracruz, after having carried out technical inspections at its facilities.”
“Regarding news reports about the presence of hydrocarbons on beaches in southern Veracruz state, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reports that, after conducting technical inspections of its facilities, no leaks or spills have been detected. The infrastructure in the region is operating normally and safely,” Pemex said in a statement.
“Specialized Pemex personnel conducted verification tours in coastal areas, both by land and water, in order to corroborate the information disseminated, identify the possible origin of the observed material and rule out any damage to the oil infrastructure, in accordance with the protocols of industrial safety, environmental protection and attention to communities.
“These actions involved operational and security units in coordination with the relevant authorities. As a result, it was confirmed that the facilities located in the southern part of the state are maintaining normal operations with no evidence of incidents related to their infrastructure.
“The State Public Company maintains permanent surveillance at its work centers and will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities to clarify the origin of the reported material, prioritizing safety, environmental care and timely information to the public.”
However, researchers using satellite images from February 20th detected an oil slick 37 kilometers offshore from Campeche, which appears to be related to oil infrastructure, as well as a possible spread of oil toward Tabasco and Veracruz.
Authorities have not released any comment or public information on the spill.
