Last Sunday, a shrimp boat shipwrecked in Brasilito beach in Guanacaste, causing fuel to spill. However, authorities declared that liters spilled do not exceed 2,000 and oil is observed at sea.
Ricardo Gutiérrez, regional director of the Costa Rican Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA) in Guanacaste, stated that the boat left Puntarenas with about 4,000 gallons, which is its capacity. However, the day of the event it had 2000 liters at most.
According to the official, many organizations and public entities are cleaning the beach due to the debris of the ship, but not because of the fuel.
In addition, Nelson Soto, from the Navigation Directorate and the Ministry of Public Security and Transport (MOPT) reported that it cannot be indicated yet whether the event has a high, medium or low environmental impact.
Representatives from the National University (UNA) conducted a water sampling to determine whether there was contamination. In addition, in the coming hours the authorities will review the boat to check its fuel tanks.
According to Gustavo Meneses, chief executive of INCOPESCA, the Azoriano vessel, with Costa Rican registration, had all the permits in order.
After news of the shipwreck and photographs in social networks, environmental organizations raised their voices, including the Conservationist Federation of Costa Rica (FECON) MarViva and Restoration Program on Sharks and Sea Turtles (PRETOMA).
Randall Arauz, president of PRETOMA, declared that it is necessary to lay responsibility to prevent such situations to continue happening because there is negligence and responsibility has to be established. If there are mangroves or wetlands in the area, it is particularly worrying.
To Viviana Gutiérrez, from MarViva, it is necessary that boats have location devices, because a control on fishing activity can be achieved, as it has been said in the dialogue table.