We report the text of the Conseill Insular de Eivissa in regards of the cleaning tasks of the 3 beaches affected by the oil slick.

“The cleaning services of beaches are working thorough in 3 beaches affected by the hydrocarbon spill caused by the collapse of the Don Pedro Ship. The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Cristina Narbona, has visited this midday the affected beaches to verify the good operation of the collection tasks of the rest of fuel that arrives at the coast, and she has informed too that a total of 300 people is mobilized on earth, sea and air, who are working to diminish the impact of the incident. The Minister has visited beaches accompanied by the President of the Balearic Islands Government, Mr. Francesc Antich, by the President of the Consell Insular of Ibiza (local Government), Mr. Xico Tarrés; and by several other authorities of the different administrations involved.

Actual situation of beaches and sea

Platja d’en Bossa beach, presents now a good state, 45 people were this morning gathering rest of remainders of the coast. The beach of Talamanca, the first affected by the spill, new fuel spots have not been detected recently. The President of the Consell Insular, Mr. Xico Tarrés, has considered that, just waiting to know the results of the analyses of waters, Talamanca beach could be in conditions for the bath again shortly. In the case of Figueretes beach, red flag hoist up but just for precaution.

With respect to the situation in the sea, the Minister has explained that the three flights detected in Don Pedro ship are of small spread, reason why practically all the fuel is being absorbed by the ship Clara Campoamor, without new arrivals of fuel spots on to the beaches. The Minister also has indicated that the project to extract all the fuel that is left in the sunk boat is being completed, a task that will be carry out by an expert company in this type of incidents. Public Works and Economy authorities hope to give in the next days, approval to the definitive plan of extraction of the fuel left in Don Pedro ship, once is verified that the plan guarantees maximun security either for workers than for environment.

The President of the Balearic Islands Government, Mr. Francesc Antich, has indicated that the best available recourses to be provided by the Spanish Government are at the moment in Ibiza island.
Also it has been indicated that the State invests during this summer a million euros for cleaning and conservation of beaches.

Situation in the Natural Reserve

From all the institutions it has been indicated that the fuel has not arrived at the terrestrial area of the Natural Reserve of Ses Salines. The Marine Rescue, the Coasts Main Directorate and the Balearic Islands Government, have extended more than 5 kilometers of absorbent barriers to avoid that the spill propagates. Referring to this, the President of the Consell Insular of Ibiza has clarified that Don Pedro sank in the marine zone of the Natural Reserve, but without affecting the area declared as Fishing Marine Reserve. Several people and other devices are working by Sal Rossa area, which is bordering with the Natural Reserve, to avoid any fuel spot reaching the coast.

Effects on the Tourism

Regarding the tourist affectation, the local Minister of Tourism (Conseller) has indicated that some cancellation is taking place, but up to now not many cancellations are being registered. The Conseller as well as the President of the Consell Insular of Ibiza, both desire to transmit a reassuring message, indicating that only 3 out of 56 beaches of Ibiza are affected and, that in all cases, the actual situation in these three beaches is positive. This same message is being transmited to the main tourist operators worldwide.”