EMA reports 'no visible sheen' at Coral Cove Marina

File photo,: Yachts anchored in Chaguaramas. 

Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
File photo,: Yachts anchored in Chaguaramas. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

THE Environmental Management Authority (EMA) says it has concluded an investigation into reports of diesel discharge at Coral Cove Marina in Chaguaramas, finding "no visible oil or sheen."

The EMA issued a statement on Friday, saying, "For the last 48 hours (Thursday and Friday) there was no visible sheen on the surface of the water and the EMA's investigating team extended monitoring activities to the facilities adjacent to the reported site in an effort to gather additional information on the operations in the immediate area.

"Again no visible oil or sheen was observed in this expanded search area."

Two days prior, the authority said that it had launched an investigation after calls from conservation group Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, which circulated photos on social media on Tuesday, showing what appeared to be a fuel leak at marina.

The photo's caption read, "Fishermen and Friends of the Sea have received reports that Venezuelan fishing vessels have been releasing diesel while docked in our waters.

"The most recent example of this has occurred at Coral Cove Marina in Chaguaramas where pictures taken by concerned citizens indicate that a mass amount of diesel flowing is from three Venezuelan ships docked in the marina.

"It is unfortunate that a foreign vessel can disrespect our marine environment so blatantly and take advantage of the hospitality we have afforded them."

The group then called on the EMA and the government to investigate the reports "with haste."

"We remind the powers that be that oil is deadly. It bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in our fishery. Every drop of hydrocarbon will leave an everlasting effect on our marine environment and our fishery."

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"EMA reports ‘no visible sheen’ at Coral Cove Marina"

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