Mexican authorities reported on Thursday that an oil spill from an unidentified vessel and two natural sources in the Gulf of Mexico has spread to seven nature reserves, covering an area of more than 600 square kilometers. This finding comes after weeks of controversy in Mexico over the handling of the spill, which was first reported in early March off the coasts of Veracruz and Tabasco states.

Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales told reporters at a news conference that satellite imagery and physical inspections in the affected areas pointed to three sources of the oil spill: a vessel docked off the coast of the port city of Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz; a geological site 8 km from the Coatzacoalcos port, known locally as a “chapopotera”; and another natural leak site in the Bay of Campeche. Morales added that the spill point remains active and the vessel involved has not been identified because 13 ships in the area had not been inspected by early March.

The international ocean conservation organization Oceana said this week that reports from communities in the area revealed the spill has killed sea turtles, a manatee, and various fish species, with about 17 reefs reported damaged. Mexican environmental authorities revealed that at least six species, including sea turtles, birds, and fish, have been contaminated. However, authorities ruled out “severe environmental damage,” drawing criticism from environmental groups.

In a separate incident on March 17, residents of the coastal town of Puerto Ceiba witnessed an explosion around the Olmeca refinery, owned by state oil company Pemex, after oily water overflowed onto a nearby road. A Pemex statement last week said a passing vehicle exploded as a result, killing five people. There are fears that oysters in the connected Mecoacan lagoon and the fishermen harvesting them will be affected.

Environmental organizations, including Greenpeace Mexico, have denounced alleged inaction by state authorities over the ongoing Veracruz and Tabasco case. In a statement, Greenpeace Mexico said the Gulf of Mexico is being treated by authorities as a “sacrifice zone for the oil industry” and called on the government to act faster in communicating and minimizing damage, demanding effective protocols to prevent and mitigate risks associated with oil activities.

Source: www.aljazeera.com