October 28, 2014 — It's a grim, but familiar, picture. Waves of black sludge lap at the sandy shore, while seabirds coated in oil struggle to lift their wings. On September 24, more than 5,800 gallons of oil spilled into Quintero Bay, Chile when intake hoses broke free from an oil tanker at the Monobuoy Terminal.
The devastation is tragic. Rescuers have already captured more than 50 birds — including penguins, sea gulls, pelicans, blanquillo birds, hualas, cormorants, and coots — many of which have already died from ingesting oil. Countless numbers of marine creatures that rescuers cannot reach are still dying.
The seeping oil is also devastating the livelihoods of hundreds of people in the fishing and tourism industries, who rely on the health of the oceans for their income and food. Local health officials are forbidding the consumption and sale of seafood from the area, with serious consequences for the local economy. Meanwhile, the Chilean National Fishing and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) is currently assessing damages to artisanal fisheries.
Oceana in Chile is calling on the Chilean government to investigate the incident and punish the company responsible for this disaster. Sernapesca has already filed a criminal lawsuit against the responsible parties. Additionally, Oceana predicts that Empresa Nacional del Petróleo (ENAP), who owns the oil operation, is guilty of gross negligence: The company initially reported the spill as slightly less than 800 gallons, and it was thus classified as a minor spill. In reality, about 5,800 gallons of oil spilled into the bay.
Read the full story at the Huffington Post