Fuel oil pollution continues to appear on beaches along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, with new reports emerging almost daily from areas stretching between Rezovo, Sinemorets, Lozenets, Arkutino and Kamchia. While authorities say the contamination likely comes from older deposits disturbed by rough seas, environmental experts are urging a deeper investigation into potential sources, including commercial vessels and Russia’s shadow fleet, writes Elitsa Simeonova from Bulgarian media svobodnatochka.bg.
According to the media's investigation, residents first reported large amounts of black, sticky residue on beaches around June 18. Local volunteer Iva Yancheva has said that the pollution was widespread at Silistar and Veleka beaches near Sinemorets and has continued to reappear despite cleanup efforts.
“Two days ago we were cleaning here, last night the sea brought it out again,” she said for svobodnatochka.bg.
The Ministry of Environment and Water confirmed dozens of reports of pollution and inspections found fuel oil pellets and petroleum residue along several beaches. Municipalities and concessionaires have been instructed to clean the affected areas.
According to the Maritime Administration, there is currently no active pollution at sea. Officials believe the material consists of “old deposits of oil products and waste” that were lifted from the seabed by strong waves and winds before being washed ashore. Authorities say that because the contamination is not recent, it is currently “objectively impossible” to identify the responsible source.
