Sustainability First: BREEF Weighs In On The Dangers of Oil Spill

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – For the past month, news of an oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago has dominated news in the region. 

The spill emanating from an overturned vessel has since spread hundreds of miles, and into the waters of multiple neighboring countries.

Early Thursday, a month after the vessel capsized on February 7th, a release from Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Energy announced that the hydrocarbon discharge emanating from the vessel has stopped, saying the leak point is effectively being blocked by sea water that has filled compartments above it. 

The vessel is capable of carrying up to 35,000 barrels of fuel oil, that’s almost 1.5 million gallons.

But the volume of the spill is still unknown, and there are still questions surrounding the ownership, origin, and intended destination of the barge.

Toxic chemicals and fumes from spills can smother organisms, impact food sources, and wreak havoc on the livelihoods those who rely on the ocean for income.

The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) recently weighed in on the spill.

“Despite assurances from industry proponents, the reality remains evident: there is no foolproof method to transport oil without posing a significant threat to delicate marine ecosystems and the people and businesses that depend on them.”

Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, the BREEF Executive Director,  is also a founding member of Our Islands, Our Future, a coalition advocating for a permanent ban against oil drilling in the Bahamas. 

Mckinney-Lambert says the recent events underscore the urgent need for sustainable renewable energy alternatives.

 “Oil spills can cause irreparable harm to marine ecosystems and devastate local economies,” siad McKinney-Lambert.

 “There is no foolproof method to extract and transport oil without the inherent risk of catastrophic spills. Each accident serves as a sobering reminder that the consequences of mishandling oil production and transportation are severe and far-reaching.”