Untenable. This is how Aldo Salazar, vice president of the Fishermen’s Union of the Port of Chancay, the contamination of the sea that has brought as a consequence ten days of paralysis in their fishing activities. In Chancay alone, more than two thousand fishing families are being affected. Given the lack of resources, they have chosen to make a common pot and thus cover their basic food.
“By not being recognized, we have to take radical measures. This situation is unsustainable. We can’t take any more. No entity is recognizing us as affected,” he said.
A team from La República toured the beaches of the Norte Chico to record the impact of the worst ecological disaster in Lima and was able to verify that the situation in Chancay is critical. Silva Chávez, president of the Association of Merchants of the Port of Chancay, says that 21 restaurants have stopped working five days ago, which represents losses of 1,500 soles per day for each business, not to mention that more than 100 employees no longer receive income.
For fishermen, the time of maximum maritime production is summer, but they have stopped all activity. If they normally received 500 soles a day, now they have no way to pay for their family expenses.
This is the case of Francisco Solís (50), who has been fishing in the port of Chancay for 17 years and sadly shows the black oil stains impregnated in his net. “Here is the evidence. We live from day to day, without insurance, pension, or retirement. We live from fishing,” he says.
If they are not attended to, they warn that they will take the Panamericana Norte as a protest. They request immediate compensation.
Another of the contaminated places is the Chancay River. There you can see around 11 people with tools and bags trying to clean up the spill residue.
One of the affected beaches is Chacra y Mar, in Huaral. On weekends it received up to two thousand tourists, today it looks desolate. Most restaurants also closed. During the tour, oiliness could be observed on the shores of the sea and traces of cleaning carried out with heavy machinery in the sand.
Sernanp reported that traces of hydrocarbons were found on the Punta Salinas beach in Huaral on the islets of Pescadores in the National Reserve of Guaneras Islands, Islets and Points.
Lawsuit before Repsol
The regional governor of Lima, Ricardo Chavarría, said that private companies that operate near the coast have joined the cleanup efforts. This is the case of Cosco Shipping, the consortium that is building the port terminal in Chancay. However, this does not exempt Repsol from responsibility, which is why they are filing a lawsuit.
“We are going to ask for compensation. Our attorneys prepare the lawsuit against Repsol. The damage is incalculable,” he noted.
On the other hand, the provincial mayor of Huaura, Hugo Echegaray, reported that animals bathed in oil have been detected on the beaches of Huacho. Although fuel is not visible to the naked eye, the mayor fears that the sea contains chemical components.
“We are prepared to take action in case we find traces of oil because the impact would be strong. If we add to the pandemic an intoxication due to the consumption of fish and shellfish, it would be quite delicate ”, referred.
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
