Tobago fisherfolk must submit oil-spill claims by August 5

FISHERFOLK and other related stakeholders who incurred losses as a result of the February 7 oil spill must submit their claim forms to the THA Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago, by August 5.

The process is being administered by the Oil Spill Relief Committee (OSRC), chaired by Tobago Emergence Management Agency director Allan Stewart. The committee held two meetings last week to apprise fisherfolk of the process for accessing compensation.

The THA, by executive council minute 277, dated May 22, established OSRC for the period May 1- July 31, under the Division of Food Security, Natural Security, the Environment and Sustainable Development.

The division said the primary aim of the Tobago OSRC is to provide relief to the local fishing industry — fishermen, fish vendors, boat owners, and crew members severely affected by this environmental disaster. To this end, it said the OSRC is doing a damage assessment and needs analysis to comprehensively understand the extent of the damage and the needs of those affected.

The OSRC said it is committed to providing regular updates and reports on relief efforts. The committee will closely monitor the implementation of the assistance programme and make recommendations for adjustments as necessary to ensure the equitable distribution of relief and the sustainable recovery of Tobago’s fishing industry.

On February 7, the Gulfstream barge was found overturned and leaking hydrocarbon some 200 metres off the coast of the Cove Eco-Industrial Park. The hydrocarbon polluted the waters along several villages on Tobago’s southwestern peninsula. Millions of dollars have been spent to date cleaning up the spill.

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, in a release from his office on July 18, said the THA had received the $50 million promised by the Central Government to help with expenses arising from the oil spill.

In a release on July 24, the division said claim forms can be collected at its Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corner Milford and Shirvan Roads or at the Tobago Emergency Management Agency’s (TEMA’s) office, Fairfield Complex, Bacolet.

Those wishing to claim relief must provide documentation, which should contain a description and/or photographs of the damaged item, the date and type of damage sustained, proof of ownership (bills, receipts, invoices, or bills of sale), the value of the item at the date of loss or damage, insurance certificates and/or claims for loss of income. They must also provide proof of engaging in fishing, fish vending or other related activities, a statement detailing how the loss was incurred and proof of income before the loss (by way of deposits, tax payments, loan payments, general expenditure).

Affected individuals can contact the 211 call centre for further enquiries.