A devastating oil spill originating from a capsized barge has wreaked havoc on Tobago's beloved tourism and fishing industries. First detected by Trinidad and Tobago's Coast Guard nine days ago, the spill has now expanded miles beyond Tobago's shores, alarming neighboring nations across the Caribbean.
The affected area, initially limited to Tobago, has seen the slick extend approximately 144 km into the Caribbean Sea, moving at a speed of 14 km per hour. Trinidad has recently alerted nearby countries Venezuela and Grenada about the potential impact on their coastal regions.
Allan Stewart, head of Tobago's Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), announced on Friday that the Caribbean Disaster Management Agency, in collaboration with Caricom, has activated a comprehensive contingency plan to address the crisis.
The incident, caused by a barge pulled by a tugboat, remains shrouded in mystery. Authorities are still investigating details such as the type of petroleum involved, the barge's intended destination, ownership, and whether any crew members were lost during the capsizing.
Local fishermen like Edwin Ramkisson are feeling the immediate effects. \"This looks like it will continue for a few weeks. I cannot simply sit down and do nothing,\" Ramkisson shared. He relies on fishing for snapper and salmon in Lowlands, Tobago, and is now struggling to clean his boat amidst the environmental damage.
Tobago officials estimate that the barge carried up to 35,000 barrels of fuel oil. The resulting spill has blackened beaches, harmed wildlife, and severely impacted the island's tourism sector. Many beach and golf resorts, which are key attractions for foreign visitors, have had to close their ocean access. Additionally, the Scarborough cruise ship port is currently being safeguarded from the spill using containment booms.
The ongoing environmental disaster underscores the urgent need for coordinated regional efforts to mitigate the spill's impact and restore Tobago's natural and economic vitality.
Reference(s):
Tobago's tourism, fishing hit as oil slick spreads across Caribbean
cgtn.com
