Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reports on the current situation on the beaches of Paraíso, Tabasco, 28 days after learning of the oil leak in the pipeline from the Akal I facility, the critical point of which was located 2 nautical miles north of the Dos Bocas Maritime Terminal.
On May 9, the State-Owned Public Company completed the containment and cleanup operations along the beaches affected by the oil spill. It should be noted that these beaches have been reopened to visitors, who mainly visit on weekends, as is customary during the spring and summer seasons.
A direct and respectful dialogue was also established with the organized fishing sector in Paraíso to address their demands. Although the incident caused moderate damage to fishing gear, fishing activity was not halted for a single day and, to date, continues as normal.
It should also be noted that fishing cooperatives and private license holders maintain a strong relationship with the company and the state government, and they receive annual fuel donations to help cover the costs of navigation.
Dialogue with organized fishermen continues at the negotiating table with a view to reaching agreements, without jeopardizing the company's social license to operate. Through its Social Accountability Department, Pemex will hold a meeting with representatives of fishing organizations, the State Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development, and the state representative of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission.
The Secretariat of the Navy and the Secretariat of Health will subsequently join the effort to address issues related to the incident.
Pemex is refining its procedures and making the necessary provisions to address the damage to fishing gear, as well as the production support that may result from the negotiations. The company believes it is beneficial for the dialogue to take place in the context of the annual fuel allocation to the organized fishing sector, which coexists with the oil industry in the same territory.
Inter-agency coordination with the aforementioned bodies will absorb the management of the fishermen's response to the consequences of the incident.