Oil spill in MoBay

By Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

AN OIL spill occurred near the Montego Bay Marine Park close to the Pier One Restaurant on Friday. Initial reports were that the oil entered the sea via the North Gully where major road work is in progress.

The Marine Park tried to contain the spill, but it was still seeping out into the ocean. Operations manager at the Marine Park, Flavia Goodlitt, said the spill occurred at about 2:45 p.m.

"Right after rain the staff noticed a spill coming into the sea and lodged behind the Pier One Restaurant. We notified Mr. Charles McKenzie of the National Environment and Planning Agency, (formerly the NRCA) and he visited the area and confirmed that the spill was coming from the South Gully project," she said.

She said "it is now lodged in the harbour and we will try to contain it here. Some of it has already flown out to sea, but the majority is still located under the dock. We have notified the St. James Parish Council, the Jamaica Maritime Authority, the Jamaica Coast Guard and the local fire department, with a view to trying to determine how best to handle the situation."

Jennifer Becker, science officer at the Montego Bay Marine Park, said while it was not one of the largest spills they have seen, it still had negative environmental effects, primarily on sea birds.

"Animals such as dolphins, turtles and some fish that come to the surface to breathe could be affected by the oil as well," she said.

Miss Becker said that since the last oil spill occurred in the Montego Freeport harbour in January 2000, the Marine Mark had used up most of its oil absorbent pads and due to financial constraints and the fact that there has not yet been a settlement in that case, the Park has been unable to replenish its supply.

"Right now, we are calling mainly on the business community to donate these supplies for us. Another thing that could be used to dissipate small areas of oil spill is a biodegradable detergent, which is environmentally-friendly, but we are totally out of that supply as well," said Miss Becker.

The Marine Park, established nine years ago, is also without a permanent home. At its inception, the U.S. and Jamaican governments had agreed that the Jamaican government would provide land to establish a home base. The U.S. has lived up to its side of the bargain by providing personnel and giving training, as well as some funding. However, the Jamaican government is yet to honour its obligation.

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