The Wreck of the Prestige: 6. The Clean-up

6. The Clean-up

Thousands of fishermen in southern Galicia, frustrated at what they see as lack of resources from the government, have launched an effort of their own to fight oil slicks endangering Europe's richest shellfish beds.
Villagers made improvised sea barriers from onion bags, polystyrene and cushion filling to try to keep out the oil, and fishermen took to sea in a fleet of small ships to fish out lumps of oil with home-made implements or even their hands.
The local population is angrier than ever, especially since in some areas, fishermen are working night and day to collect toxic fuel with their hands because proper resources and equipment are lacking. Already 100 locals have complained of unusual tiredness and respiratory problems.
WWF-Spain, which has opened a small office in Galicia, emphasises that both technical resources such as boots, gear and equipment, and technical experts are either lacking or being used in the wrong places.
Also, despite early WWF warnings, the government has failed to provide special assistance and protection to key areas, especially in Southern Galicia.
Seven specialized boats—two French, two Dutch, one British, one German and one Belgian—are now involved in the clean-up operation.
Thousands of volunteers, many of whom have come from other parts of Spain and Europe, are helping to clean up the beaches, often the same beaches for a second or third time.
It was not until December 9th that a significant number of troops were sent to the region to replace the volunteers who had been cleaning up during the weekend.
There is concern about the toxicity of the oil, which specialists have warned is carcinogenic, and some of those involved in the clean-up operation have been taken to hospital suffering from the effects of fumes.