At the Maritime Terminal of Dos Bocas, located in the municipality of Paraíso, Tabasco, a new oil spill has occurred, resulting in the contamination of at least 16 kilometers of coastline in Tabasco. As a result of this incident, beaches have had to be closed and fishing and tourism activities suspended in the area. Local fishermen blame Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) for this disaster and report serious environmental and economic consequences.
Since Sunday, May 4, residents have observed black tar patches on beaches such as Playa Sol and Brisas, where a black flag has even been placed to prohibit access. The contamination has spread to nearby ecosystems such as the Mecoacán lagoon, Seco River, Cheneque, and oyster banks in communities like El Bellote and Torno Lago, seriously affecting marine life and wildlife.
Local residents have reported the deaths of various marine species such as mullet, jacks, bonito, as well as damage to oyster larvae and animals like pelicans. Besides the suspension of fishing, local restaurants are experiencing a significant decrease in customer traffic due to fear of consuming contaminated products, not to mention the danger it poses to the marine habitat.
The Agency for Safety, Energy, and Environment (ASEA), under Semarnat, is supervising Pemex to determine the causes of the spill, the amount of oil discharged, and the actions that need to be taken to contain and remedy the situation. Local authorities began cleanup efforts on May 4; however, so far, Pemex has not issued a public statement regarding the incident.
