Kejan Haynes
The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) says the Caroni Bird Sanctuary is returning to some level of normalcy, one week after an oily substance was discovered in a drain just off the Uriah Butler Highway.
Investigations are continuing into exactly what was the substance discovered at the site.
The Institute of Marine Affairs is expected to produce a report by the end of the month.
The source of the spill has not been determined but the likely source remains human dumping, as there are no pipelines in the area.
Officials gave members of the media a tour of the area on Friday.
The oil booms were still on site.
According to Steve Lalbeharry, the EMA’s Regional Coordinator, Emergency Response & Investigations Unit, the booms haven’t been replaced all week, which is a good thing.
“This is indicative that no further substance has entered into the environment from this point and all containment was very successful. That really is important,” Lalbeharry said.
With few exceptions, there were no major reports of loss of wildlife. There were many concerns raised about crabs especially, which are eaten by the scarlet ibis.
“We did observe some dead fishes from about day two August 12. The last observation of dead fishes would have been in the evening of August 13,” Lalbeharry said. “We have no reports of any wildlife, deaths or distress, stress or impacts from this incident.”
The Institute of Marine Affairs, Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Office Of Disaster Preparedness and Management have all coordinated to manage the spill.
Anyone with information which can help with the investigation is asked to send videos and photographs to EMA’s WhatsApp 367-8824, · Email: complaints@ema.co.tt or call the· EMA’s emergency response mobile for spills: 680-9588.
An oily substance that was found in the swamp.
