María José López

Regarding the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that is poisoning more than 600 km of sea and coastline across Veracruz, Tabasco, and parts of Tamaulipas: this is not just another accident, it is a serious event that has reached at least seven protected natural reserves, damaged beaches, lagoons, and entire ecosystems, and according to independent analyses, was largely preventable. Cleanup operations have recovered approx. 430 metric tons ( ~3–3.5 kb) of hydrocarbons and contaminated material along 223 km of beaches. However, satellite-derived estimates suggest the original spill involved ~40–80 kb of heavy crude. The initial surface slick covered ~50 km² at sea before ocean currents dispersed it widely. The impacts have been devastating: oiled mangroves in areas like Laguna del Ostión, affected reefs, and reports of dead or harmed sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and pelicans. Nearly a dozen spill sites have been identified through community and independent mapping. International standards from organizations like ITOPF and NOAA classify any spill > 100 tonnes as a “large spill.” Despite official statements claiming the damage is “limited” or that there is “no severe environmental damage”, the evidence from the ground and satellite imagery tells a much more worrying story. What angers me most is the satellite evidence that shows authorities had early knowledge. Independent analysis of Sentinel-1/2 imagery from February 6–17, 2026 (!!!) reveals that the incident began with a vessel discharge near Pemex’s Abkatún platform in the Campeche Sound. The slick intensified around February 11–14, and by February 13 at least five additional vessels were visible attempting containment (including with water jets). The discharge remained active until at least February 17 before the residues were carried toward the coasts of Tabasco and Veracruz. Greenpeace México, the Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA), the Red Corredor Arrecifal del Golfo de México, and more than 30 allied organizations have stated clearly that the spill “appears to be a crude oil spill from a vessel.” Why the useless authorities have being unable to promptly clarifying the exact source? Why are they denying early knowledge despite available satellite and vessel-tracking data, including AIS systems?Pemex has distanced itself from responsibility, and to this day no specific vessel has been publicly identified or sanctioned, even though 13 suspect ships were reportedly in the area. This spill was highly avoidable. Faster activation of Mexico’s National Contingency Plan, immediate public alerts, robust offshore containment barriers, and proper use of monitoring tools could have kept the slick offshore and prevented most of the coastal contamination. Instead, the delay allowed a detectable mid-February offshore event to turn into widespread damage affecting mangroves, reefs, fisheries, and local communities. All this is a mixture of,opacity, delayed response, insufficient containment, and lack of transparency in how the satellite detections and early warnings were handled. Authorities have the obligation to supervise, regulate, and repair the impacts. While natural seabed seeps (chapopoteras) contributed, the vessel component was fully preventable under MARPOL conventions and Mexican law. The overall handling of this spill represents a serious failure of duty! I urge everyone who reads this to share this information, demand transparency, and support the affected communities and organizations fighting for accountability. Our Gulf, our mangroves, our marine life, and our coastal families deserve MUCH, MUCH better. Images: CSR Journal Red Corredor arrecifal REUTERS Some sources: • AP News: apnews.com/article/mexico… • Greenpeace México / 30+ organizations joint communiqué (PDF): greenpeace.org/static/planet4… • CEMDA satellite analysis: cemda.org.mx/derrame-en-el-…

A palm oil firm has cleared more than 7,500 acres of forest inside a UNESCO biosphere reserve in Indonesian Borneo, threatening areas identified as orangutan habitat. @satyabumi @HCVNetwork @StandMighty news.mongabay.com/2026/03/palm-o…

Las playas del Golfo de México están limpias y listas para recibir a los vacacionistas de #SemanaSanta. 📹 #Pemex realizó un recorrido aéreo para supervisar el estado de las playas de Veracruz y Tabasco. 🚁 @SEMARNAT_mx @SEMAR_mx @SENER_mx @agencia_asea @PROFEPA_Mx

#Krill Norway is deploying 30 ft (9 m) drones to locate areas of highest krill density in Antarctica. They're using AI, sonar, airborne drones and USVs (unmanned surface vehicles). Powerful AI predicts krill biomass hotspots 6 to 12 hours in advance, while VTOL drones confirm signals before vessel redeployment, which is predicted to increase daily krill catch by 22%. It's not just how much the trawlers take, but where. They'll be robbing the richest feeding grounds from the wildlife which depends on them.

A palm oil tycoon is now even destroying Indonesia’s forests that are home to critically endangered orangutans in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on the island of Borneo! news.mongabay.com/2026/03/palm-o…