A report published in the Science for Environment Policy April 2012 discusses the impacts on Marine and Coastal Environments in the Mediterranean from Offshore Exploration and Exploitation. ESG comment:
It is a seven page highly readable document which gives a stark warning about the implications from this type of exploration for our marine environment already under threat from industrial pollution, shipping/bunkering and over fishing. The Bay ecosystem is part of the wider Mediterranean and is also threatened by increasing industrial activity in this region.
This writer can reveal that on a recent visit up the south western coast of the Iberian Peninsula an offshore oil rig was seen in the Strait and explosions could be heard throughout a short stay in the area during the Easter weekend.
This report, providing a lot of detail and research behind what is going on in the far distance hidden from view and unknown to most of us, is therefore a timely paper to help us understand this latest potential hazard to our marine environment.
As examples of direct impacts on marine environments from such explorative practices the report mentions:
Death of a wide variety of marine species
Behavioural disturbances, including changes in feeding, reproduction and migration
Airborne emissions of chemicals from controlled burns
Microbial blooms
Hypoxia -lowering of oxygen concentrations in water
Toxic effects of chemicals used to disperse oil”
The report also states that “many of the impacts of offshore activities on marine environments are uncertain, due to the complex interactions between many different species within marine ecosystems and difficulties associated with conducting research at depth.”
Also of concern and mentioned in the report is the following:
“Oil spills are not the only potential hazards posed by offshore oil and gas activities. Other important considerations are:-
Noise
Seafloor and geological disturbances caused by explosions and drilling
Drill cuttings (barium rich drilling by-products deposited on the seabed)
Produced water (seawater mixed with oil)
See also map lifted from report highlighting what is believed to be oil spills detected from satellite – very disturbing picture is being painted here and one that demands responsible and well managed resource appropriation and a major global drive to move developed nations towards renewable energy use and maximum recycling drives.
Map represents possible oil spills detected in the Mediterranean offshore environment by satellite imaging (1999-2004), from both ships and offshore installations as an indication of the scale of existing oil pollution.
Full map can be found on page 4 of report along with a multitude of references and other important information on this critical issue.
Western Beach 9th April the pretty picture belies the filth beneath the surface
The public is reminded that Western Beach continues closed due to faecal contamination from la Linea which carries sewage from estates which are illegally connected to a storm drain pointing towards Western Beach. While efforts are being made by the ESG and MEP’s to see this situation resolved once and for all the fact remains that swimming off this beach could affect your health and that of others if infection develops.
Government has officially closed this beach until further notice and the ESG urges the public to avoid using the beach and safeguard the health of their families.
Picture here emphasises the importance of keeping the most vulnerable AWAY from this pollution – picture taken Monday 9th April on a hot sunny day with recent water sample data (latest available and pre-rains is of the 3rd April showing levels of sewage to be illegal and over the safety limit. Rain creates more sewage outflow and fairly heavy rainfall was experienced in the area post 3rd April)
Check out Environmental Agency website for latest on water quality:-
http://www.environmental-agency.gi/beachresult.php?beachid=6
• Earth Hour 2012
Against a growing number of environmental news stories becoming a more regular feature in our day to day lives, I thought I would start by briefly revisiting Earth Hour which took place last Saturday. Gibraltar supported the event which, at a global level, was a major success with accounts on the EarthHour.org website of major corporations in the States taking collective action to entire countries in Asia participating in their thousands, clearly illustrating the appeal that this simple, yet inspiring campaign is having around the world. As an environmental group we call attention to this campaign as it reminds us all of the need to value the huge benefits of having energy online, how this has transformed our lives, the impact this is having on climate change and how we all need to shift our 2012 status onto a more sustainable footing.
How we achieve this is by paying attention to our personal impact and as a community to set in motion concrete steps to reduce our carbon footprint and embrace greener technologies and practices. Through a number of mtgs we have held to date with both Ministers and technical advisers to Govt, we know these issues are high on agendas. What we now need is for a time frame and detailed information to be made publicly available so that the community is informed of the positive actions Gibraltar will be taking shortly towards the road of sustainability. We shall certainly be watching this very closely.
• Power Station PollutionOne of the issues which we face from members of the public on a daily basis and which we are taking up with Govt is the intolerable and illegal levels of pollution from the power stations. This, possibly, above all, is the main driver for the urgency the new Govt faces in deciding the alternatives to a new fossil fuelled power station which it cancelled. The ESG is writing to Govt requesting for interim action to be taken to reduce air pollution. This was a condition placed on the permit issued to OESCO back in 2007 to allow it to operate under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive. It called for scrubbers and taller stacks to help reduce and aid dispersal of toxic emissions away from residential areas. This important measure was never enforced because of the advised completion date of the new power station, then at 2010. Here almost halfway through 2012 and emissions are worse and growing. Something needs to be done, and done soon.
• MEP Sir Graham Watson visits Gibraltar
The local press has reported on MEP Graham Watson’s recent visit to Gibraltar. The ESG held a meeting with Sir Watson and discussed matters of concern to our group which includes Western Beach and the European Commission, the massive Fuel Tank Farm in Algeciras, Sea Bed raking and the CEPSA Oil Refinery. We settled on a number of proposed actions for the next few months. As always, extremely grateful to Sir Watson for the hard work he carries out for us in Brussels.
• Fishing issues
While highly mindful of the sensitivities of the current discussions on enforcement of the Nature Protection Act in Gibraltar, we reiterate our support to all those involved directly in seeking to improve the situation to protect our marine ecosystems. We are concerned, however, that at a European level, waters are rather muddied, if you’ll excuse the pun. While seeking to protect our own environment, the EC is giving out permits to Spanish fishermen within Andalucía to proceed to rake seabeds outside of the limit zones it itself has set to ensure survivability of marine species…… This is a story we focused on in a recent press release which you can find on our website, and it strongly highlights the need for MEP’s like Sir Graham Watson to help fight these battles in Brussels.
• Clean up the World will shortly be launching its 2012 campaign. We are holding back contacting teams and sponsors until such time as we are fully briefed by the global organisers. We should have this information available for our next radio broadcast but you are most welcome to register with us in the meantime. Email: esg@gibtelecom.net, tel: 200-48996 or mobile 54960000.
Have a good Easter break with loved ones and be mindful of our wonderful environment.
Each year since 2007, the ESG has drawn attention locally to the global campaign called Earth Hour. This exciting campaign reminds us all of the urgent need for collective action in reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency. The event takes place this Saturday, the 31st March between 8.30pm and 9.30pm and the ESG urges everyone to switch off unnecessary lights between these times.
What started in 2004 in Australia as a WWF campaign aimed at creating awareness about climate change, has, over the years, become a massively popular campaign which sees around 4,000 cities participate in close to 100 countries. In 2006 and 7, the Al Gore film “An Inconvenient Truth” and the “Stern Report”, galvanised strong public support for community led action on climate change and demands on world leaders to address this critical issue.
In 2010 the Earth Hour Campaign saw countries step up support with several iconic buildings and landmarks around the planet switching off their lights during the same time period. These actions made the headlines in several mainstream news channels spreading the campaigns message even further.
This weekend, once again, Gibraltar will join millions of others around the world in calling attention to one of the most serious issues facing humankind, and why both creating awareness of this issue and encouraging individual participation via the switch off, is so important for everyone to support. The ESG has been spreading the word at schools this week encouraging students to tell their friends via social media.
We also welcome the action taken by the Gibraltar Government once again in going beyond the hour and switching off the lights on local iconic spots like the Moorish Castle, North Face and the Gibraltar Law Courts for the entire weekend. It is also welcome to note that Government is assessing energy use in public buildings throughout Gibraltar with a view to reducing energy consumption and this is a most important development in 2012.
Visit www.earthhour.org for more information on this enlightening campaign
The ESG congratulates Government for taking the decision to set a date to ban smoking in all public places. This is long overdue and will bring great benefit to many including those who work in the bar and catering establishments. This is a most welcome step.
ESG PRESS RELEASE RE BRUSSELS AND
LA LINEA FISHING PRACTICES
15th March 2012
The ESG is concerned about a Brussels decision announced by La Junta de Andalucía in February 2012 that will allow fishing fleets in Andalucía to continue seabed raking, an environmentally damaging fishing practice, to be carried out inside the normally forbidden zone of 0.3 miles to shore.
An article in La Linea Digital (see link at end of press release) advised that La Linea de la Concepcion, Estepona, Velez and Fuengirola have a total of 269 licensed vessels between them for this type of fishing which employs a total of 700 people.
It is very distressing to read that this unsustainable practice, recognised as disastrous for the survival of coastal marine species, and outlawed elsewhere in Europe, has nevertheless been given a moratorium to operate in these areas which has implications for Gibraltar’s waters.
Coming at a time that the Gibraltar Government has stated it will stand firmly by the 1991 Nature Protection Act the ESG hopes that the issue of illegal sea bed raking can also come under the spotlight for adequate regulation enforcement within Gibraltar’s protected areas.
Link at: http://www.lalineadigital.es/2012/02/las-embarcaciones-de-marisqueo-de-la-linea-podran-seguir-faenando-cerca-de-la-orilla/
GROWING PETROCHEMICAL BUSINESS IN THE BAY AND STILL NO
TRIPARTITE PROCESS
ESG is most concerned with news of a massive fuel farm setting up in Algeciras, as confirmed in the Spanish and local media this week. Vopak Terminal has set up a total of 22 tanks with over 4million ton capacity in a bid to “compete” with Gibraltar for bunkering business. This new industry comes at a time when cross border co-operation under the Tripartite Process is at an all time low.
In 2009, during the 3rd Ministerial meeting of the Trilateral Forum, a communiqué was issued citing the need for greater co-operation at cross border level on matters of environmental protection. This protection was intended to address: “pollution from maritime activity and traffic, bunkering operations, industrial emissions and water discharges, waste disposal and land reclamations, among others. This co-operation was intended to take the form of liaisons, establishment of contact points and urgent means of communication, rehearsed co-operation in co-ordinated incident response, and other means. (see 2nd para, Pt 6 Communique 21.07.09). No such co-operation exists today at a formal level, yet heavy industry continues to grow increasing risk to people and the environment.
The Vopak fuel depot carries a significant environmental and safety risk, and such a project demands detailed transfer of information at a cross border level – This relates to Environmental Impact Assessments as well as response preparedness in the event of accidents.
The ESG asks whether the Gibraltar Government has been presented with an Environmental Impact Assessment for this fuel farm and if not that it should demand this information from the Algeciras Authorities, if not directly, then via the European Commission.
The ESG hopes that the Tripartite framework set up to address critical issues affecting Bay citizens and environment can be taken forward to safeguard our future against the ever increasing and unsustainable petrochemical industry.
