The Environmental Management Authority is  advising the public and stakeholders in coastal communities, and in particular along the Southwest Peninsula, that it working closely with relevant state agencies to monitor and respond to confirmed reports of oil washing ashore at beaches in South Trinidad.

They include Mosquito Creek/Otaheite, Carat Shed, Vessigny, Clifton Hill, Fullerton and Columbus Bay.

The EMA said it  has dispatched emergency response teams to the various locations to assess
the initial impacts and to monitor the situation.

Samples of oil are also being collected for analysis to verify the source.

Aerial surveys have been mobilized to further assess the situation.

The EMA added that the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and other emergency response agencies have been notified and are on standby should the need arise to put into effect the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

Marine users and members of coastal communities along the Southwest Peninsula with any information pertaining to the locations of oil washing ashore and offshore locations are kindly asked to contact the EMA’s Emergency numbers as follows: 680-9588 and 285-4362.