2024 Lobitos oil spill
| 2024 Lobitos oil spill | |
|---|---|
 Several people cleaning one of the beaches affected by the oil spill in Lobitos. | |
 | |
| Location | Lobitos District, Talara, Piura, Peru |
| Cause | |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Spill characteristics | |
| Area | 10,000 square meters |
| Shoreline impacted | 10 km |
The Lobitos oil spill occurred on December 21, 2024, during pre-shipment maneuvers for oil on the Polyaigos vessel at the Talara Refinery underwater terminal, managed by Petroperú in the district of Lobitos, located in the province of Talara in Piura, Peru. The presence of hydrocarbons was detected during during certification for loading procedures. The event impacted five beaches in the district of Lobitos and caused serious damage to the marine-coastal ecosystem, affecting biodiversity and generating significant economic and social impacts.[1][2][3]
Context
[edit]On December 20, 2024, Petroperú began operations at the Punta Arenas Multiboyas Terminal during the afternoon, with the aim of loading petroleum onto a vessel at the Talara Refinery's underwater terminal. However, while waiting for certification to begin loading at night, a spill of unknown origin was reported, prompting the company to activate its contingency plan and begin an investigation. As a result, at least 10,000 square meters of sea and a 10-kilometer stretch of the coastline were contaminated, affecting beaches such as Las Capullanas, El Anchón, Las Dos Piernas, Yapato, and La Bola, important tourist destinations in the region.[4][5]
Environmental impact
[edit]The oil spill impacted various marine species such as turtles, dolphins, crabs, octopuses, and fish, with olive ridley sea turtles, classified as vulnerable, especially susceptible to mortality from contact with hydrocarbons. Veterinarians and biologists from the National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) worked to rescue and rehabilitate the affected animals. In addition, local fishermen reported the deaths of dolphins and other marine species, while images on social media showed the oil affecting critical areas such as turtle nesting areas and benthic ecosystems.[6] The contamination also reached rocky areas where barnacles grow, referred to as an important species for maintaining the local ecosystem's balance. The District Municipality of Lobitos confirmed that crabs, octopuses and other species were also affected.[7]
Response
[edit]Petroperú reported that it had controlled the situation and implemented clean-up protocols, but the mayor of Lobitos, Ricardo Bancayán, accused the company of minimizing the impact of the spill. In response, the Lobitos District Municipality, the Environmental Assessment and Oversight Agency (OEFA), the National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State (SERNANP), and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Environmental Matters (INDECI) began investigations to determine responsibility.[4][5] Representatives of the National Institute of Civil Defence (INDECI), local authorities, and other institutions visited Las Capullanas beach, where they confirmed the environmental and social impact. INDECI suggested that the municipality prepare an official registry of affected people to coordinate response actions, and a meeting was held at the Lobitos Municipality to identify the needs of the population and improve inter-institutional coordination.[8]
Rehabilitation
[edit]SERFOR, in coordination with local and national institutions, applied protocols for managing wildlife in the event of oil spills in coastal marine environments.[6]
Economic and social consequences
[edit]The spill had a negative impact on tourism and fishing, the main economic activities of the region. The affected beaches, such as Las Capullanas and La Bola, are key destinations for tourism in northern Peru. Local communities, dependent on the sea for their livelihood, faced serious difficulties due to the contamination.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Chipana, Carlos Contreras (2024-12-23). "Derrame de petróleo en Lobitos afecta 10.000 m2 de mar y deja sin trabajo a 2.000 personas" [Oil spill in Lobitos affects 10,000 m2 of sea and leaves 2,000 people without jobs]. larepublica.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ Vega, Renzo Gómez (2024-12-23). "Un derrame de petróleo afecta a las costas del norte de Perú y daña la vida marina de la región" [An oil spill affects the coasts of northern Peru and damages the marine life of the region]. El País América (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ "Defensoría del Pueblo pide que Petroperú y OEFA informen acciones ejecutadas para encontrar causas de derrame de petróleo en Talara, Piura" [Ombudsman's Office requests that Petroperú and OEFA report actions carried out to find causes of the oil spill in Talara, Piura]. Defensoria del Pueblo - Perú (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ a b "Piura: alertan derrame de petróleo en playas de Lobitos" [Piura: oil spill alert on Lobitos beaches]. Actualidad Ambiental (in Spanish). 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ a b "Derrame de petróleo en Lobitos: Estas son las zonas afectadas" [Oil spill in Lobitos: These are the affected areas]. canaln.pe (in Spanish). 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ a b Ezerskii, Tomás (2024-12-24). "Tortugas, delfines, peces y cangrejos: las especies afectadas por el derrame de petróleo en Lobitos, Piura" [Turtles, dolphins, fish and crabs: the species affected by the oil spill in Lobitos, Piura]. infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ "Municipalidad De Lobitos Exige Acciones Inmediatas Por Derrame De Petróleo" [Municipality of Lobitos Demands Immediate Actions Due to Oil Spill]. www.gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ "Jefe del INDECI y autoridades articulan acciones de respuesta ante derrame de petróleo en el distrito de Lobitos en Piura" [Head of INDECI and authorities articulate response actions to oil spill in the Lobitos district in Piura]. www.gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-25.