Oil spill: cleanliness of the sea and beaches exceeds 56%, according to Repsol

The Repsol company indicated that the cleaning work in the sea and beaches affected by the oil spill on January 15 is more than 56% complete.

“The progress is very significant.. In the sea there is very little product left to collect, however, we maintain control and monitoring flights beyond the affected literal, based on the simulation carried out by our experts. For that reason, we are transferring some boats and containment barriers, after carrying out a cleaning process in authorized areas, taking care not to affect the surrounding environment”, said José Reyes, senior manager of Safety, Quality and Environment at Repsol.

In this regard, Marcos Fraga, spokesman for Repsol, expressed that it is expected to have completed the cleanup of the sea and beaches of Peru affected by the oil spill by the end of February, as part of the first stage of its response plan. Meanwhile, in March there will be a second phase aimed at cleaning the rocky areas and restoring the ecosystem.

For the deployment of cleanup activities, Repsol recalled that it has the support and advice of leading companies in the world on remediation issues such as Lamor, Oil Spill Response Limited and ERM (Environmental Resources Management).

Support for affected people

As for the fishermen and merchants affected by the oil spill, the company has committed to maintaining support actions until the beaches are suitable for resuming their activities.

The modality of support granted has been established through continuous dialogue, attending to the needs expressed to the company.

Thus, collaboration agreements are currently maintained for the benefit of more than 2,400 fishermen and merchants in the affected areas. Within these groups, there is the Ancón District Fishermen’s Association: (1,045 people), Ventanilla fishermen and merchants (307), Ancón beach merchants (276), Costa Azul beach merchants (119), Fishermen’s Association from Chancay (115), merchants from Santa Rosa (93), Puerto Pachacútec settlement (87) and beach merchants from Bahía Blanca (70).