Salvaging work is underway on the vessel responsible for the recent oil spill in Tobago.
In a notice, the THA and TEMA say a comprehensive salvaging strategy has been implemented to receive pumped cargo, using advanced anchoring methodologies to ensure the safety of support vessels.
They also warn others to stay away from the vessel, called Gulfstream, which remains off the coast of the Cove Eco Industrial and Business Park.
Over the weekend, there were reports of jet skiers in the vicinity.
The exclusion zone around the wreck is 500 metres, which is approximately 1,640 feet.
Salvage works are being carried out by T&T Salvage and QT Environment.
Meanwhile, the Planning Ministry says over 51,000 barrels of liquid waste and more than 21,000 cubic yards of solid waste have been removed to from coastal areas affected by the spill.
It adds that 480 individual species of land, freshwater and coastal wildlife have been cleaned and returned safely to their environment as part of the recovery exercise.
Planning Minister Pennelope Beckles was part of a recent tour of the affected areas in Tobago.
Organised by the Institute of Marine Affairs in close collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the tour also included Tobago West MP and Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine.
The Ministry says this Ministerial visit allowed key Government officials to hear first-hand, the successes of collaborative efforts from the key responders and the holistic approach employed to address the oil spill.
Five areas of focus were:
- Salvage operations – Commencement of operations to pump oil safely off the vessel “Gulfstream” grounded at Cove Bay and to extract oil for fingerprinting analysis.
- Ecosystem vulnerability – Visit to the impacted, eco-sensitive site, Petit Trou mangrove wetland and discussion on the importance of marine management for disaster preparedness.
- Oiled wildlife response – Rescue of animals in contact with the oil, by the Serpentarium located at the command centre in Lambeau.
- Marine food security – Open discussions with fisherfolk temporarily located at the Shaw Park Food Hub on sustaining their livelihoods, as well as facilitating fish sampling and analysis for food quality assurance. And,
- Waste remediation – A visit to the Studley Park Landfill with discussions on oil waste management and plans for waste transformation and remediation.
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