Oil spill scare at Long Beach being closely monitored
Authorities are closely monitoring an oil spill along Long Beach in the ‘Patrysberg’ area between Swakopmund and the popular Long Beach area.
While the spill appears to be isolated, beachgoers have reported patches of oil contaminating the sand and marine life washing ashore.
A local resident was walking her dogs along the beach on Saturday morning when she noticed the spill.
"At first, I thought it was just murky water or remnants of a red tide. But then I realised my feet were covered in oil. The dead fish, some of which were still alive, had an oily shimmer on them," she said.
During low tide, beachgoers observed dead and struggling fish, shellfish and other marine life washed up on the shore, particularly in the rocky shallows. However, when the tide came in, the visibility of the oil patches reduced, making it harder to assess the extent of the contamination, according to one of the emergency responders to the spill.
Watching closely
Authorities suspect the oil originated from the ocean rather than from the land and may be linked to ships in the Walvis Bay harbour. The spill is not currently considered a crisis, but officials are treating the situation seriously and have warned the public against consuming any marine life found on the shore in that area.
Brendon Scott, emergency response coordinator for the Erongo Regional Response and Coordination Group, emphasised the potential health risks.
"Now we just need to get the word out about the dangers of consuming these fish. People don’t realise they are a breeding ground for bacteria. If eaten, they could cause serious health issues," he warned.
Scott added that swift coordination among authorities, including the police, Namport, Nacoma and private spill response teams, has helped manage the situation effectively.
"Thanks to our response network, we were able to act quickly. Our main concern now is preventing a humanitarian crisis where low-income residents consume contaminated fish. We are urging people not to touch the fish and, if they do, to wash their hands immediately,” he told Erongo Talk.
The public is advised to avoid collecting fish, crayfish or shellfish from the affected area and to stay informed about further health advisories.
FATALITIES: Some dead marine life, including fish and snails, were discovered on the beach. Photo: Contributed
While the spill appears to be isolated, beachgoers have reported patches of oil contaminating the sand and marine life washing ashore.
A local resident was walking her dogs along the beach on Saturday morning when she noticed the spill.
"At first, I thought it was just murky water or remnants of a red tide. But then I realised my feet were covered in oil. The dead fish, some of which were still alive, had an oily shimmer on them," she said.
During low tide, beachgoers observed dead and struggling fish, shellfish and other marine life washed up on the shore, particularly in the rocky shallows. However, when the tide came in, the visibility of the oil patches reduced, making it harder to assess the extent of the contamination, according to one of the emergency responders to the spill.
Watching closely
Authorities suspect the oil originated from the ocean rather than from the land and may be linked to ships in the Walvis Bay harbour. The spill is not currently considered a crisis, but officials are treating the situation seriously and have warned the public against consuming any marine life found on the shore in that area.
Brendon Scott, emergency response coordinator for the Erongo Regional Response and Coordination Group, emphasised the potential health risks.
"Now we just need to get the word out about the dangers of consuming these fish. People don’t realise they are a breeding ground for bacteria. If eaten, they could cause serious health issues," he warned.
Scott added that swift coordination among authorities, including the police, Namport, Nacoma and private spill response teams, has helped manage the situation effectively.
"Thanks to our response network, we were able to act quickly. Our main concern now is preventing a humanitarian crisis where low-income residents consume contaminated fish. We are urging people not to touch the fish and, if they do, to wash their hands immediately,” he told Erongo Talk.
The public is advised to avoid collecting fish, crayfish or shellfish from the affected area and to stay informed about further health advisories.
FATALITIES: Some dead marine life, including fish and snails, were discovered on the beach. Photo: Contributed
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