Oil spill leaves UAE coastal waters and beach coated in crude

The oil slick washed ashore on to the beach at Kalba on Sharjah’s east coast on Sunday. Courtesy Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah

SHARJAH // A major clean-up operation is under way after a major oil spill left a kilometre-long stretch of the UAE coated in thick crude.

The oil slick washed ashore on to the beach at Kalba on Sharjah’s east coast on Sunday. The UAE Armed Forces and Coastguard were among the authorities mobilised to respond.

Hana Al Suwaidi, chairwoman of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, said the beach and rocks were left stained by oil.

“The oil slick is caused by the oil spill, which is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, and it is a form of pollution, requiring an immediate response to control”, she said.

The spill is the second in weeks.

Last month several hotels around Al Aqah in Fujairah had to ban guests from swimming when a two-kilometre oil slick washed ashore.

Ms Al Suwaidi said previous spills have come from tankers dumping oil.

Although the cause is yet to be established, she said there would be “severe repercussions” for those responsible.

“So far, [personnel] have finished 80 per cent of the cleaning and are continuing to complete the work soon,” she said.

“Oil spills may be due to the release of oil from tankers, wells, offshore platforms and drilling rigs, as well as spills of refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel and their by-products.

“In line with the environmental impact, there will be severe repercussions for those found responsible and measures will be taken accordingly.

“Such oil spills have an effect on marine flora and fauna. Therefore, efforts should be made from the moment the spill is detected. Our team spared no efforts to contain the oil spill.”

Last week fishermen reported oil slicks by the shore to the Kalba Fishermen Association and coast guards.

“I came back from the sea around 3pm and saw a huge patch of oil near the port, and I was afraid that it would affect the fishing boats docked in the port so I informed the coastguards and the association,” said fisherman Rashid Al Zaabi, 55.

“Many fishermen came after me and said that they saw dead birds in the sea.”

Many fishing tools were destroyed in the incident. Mr Al Zaabi said there have been at least three similar oil spills.

“I need to buy new fishing nets as mine was totally destroyed and it will cost me about Dh20,000,” he said.

Members of the fishermen association said the oil spill covered most of Khor Kalba and stretched up to one nautical mile into the sea.

Mohammed bin Shumal, deputy director of Kalba Fishermen Association, said fishing activities and trading were subsequently banned for safety reasons.

“Authorities did a great good in controlling the situation. The shore and water is almost clear, but fishermen need to take care and observe carefully before going on a fishing trip,” he said.

“Oil affected the fishing tools, boats and marine life, and we will do our best in providing all the support to the fishermen until this issue is solved.”