Dr Enrico Gennari, the Director of Research at Oceans Research indicated in an official statement that both Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) are unable to confirm whether it is an oil slick, but added that observations from land are "strongly consistent with that of an oil spill."
The statement said none of the local commercial fishing vessels have confirmed that they have seen the oil slick while working at night, but they did report that there was an extremely strong current. If there was an oil spill, the report statement said, it would be moving very rapidly in the direction of George.
Oceans Research and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) urge anyone in the local area to be on the lookout for any signs of an oil spill and to report it immediately.
Please also be alert to any marine species that may be affected by a spill. Seabirds are especially vulnerable to oil spills and should as a matter of urgency be reported to the Seabird and Penguin Rehab Centre (SAPREC).
Anyone with information is welcome to contact the spokesperson of the Marine Protocol Group, Tersia Marais, on 072 227 4715.
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