Fujairah hotels close beach fronts as more oil washes up on local shores
▶ Apparent spill comes only days after Cyclone Kyarr caused flooding along the east coast
Fujairah’s most popular beach had to close as oil washed ashore covering the sand in black sludge.
The spill on Al Aqah beach on Sunday forced some hotels to close their facilities.
Last week, towns and resorts along the east coast were hit by large waves and flooding from Cyclone Kyarr.
“Our staff saw a big oil slick along the shore on Sunday morning coming out of the water and covering the sand,” said
Hannah Baker, an instructor at Divers Down at the Miramar Beach Resort Hotel.
The water appeared clearer yesterday but patches of tar could be seen along the beach. Municipality workers were seen trying to clear up the oil.
Ms Baker took divers out on Sunday and said oil was floating about a kilometre offshore.
“We were still seeing the oil patches on the surface of the water, so divers had to look for gaps in between the slicks to surface to avoid the sticky oil,” she said.
“On Monday, the water became clear and divers didn’t face any issues.”
Dibba beach – about eight kilometres to the north – was also affected by the spill. Black oil could be seen on rocks and stones on the shore.
Two years ago, a spate of oil spills was blamed on tankers dumping crude-laden ballast water offshore.
Captains are banned from doing so within Emirati territorial waters, 12 nautical miles off the coast. But the oil washes up on Fujairah’s beaches whether it is dumped within or outside the border, fishermen said.
Speaking at the time, fishermen blamed tanker captains and urged the authorities to act.
“They make use of the dark, and while no one is watching, they wash away the oil into the sea and they should be punished for this criminal act that affects wildlife and humans,” Emirati Ahmad Darwish, 41 said. Ms Baker said local businesses hope the spill is an isolated incident.
“It affects visibility underwater and causes harm to the marine life and local corals,” said Ms Baker.
“All the diving trips were cancelled Monday to Friday last week due to the unstable weather and according to the weather forecast we expect to cancel more trips this week too,” she said, referring to Cyclone Maha, which is approaching the Emirates and Oman.
The oil washes up on Fujairah’s beaches whether it is dumped within or outside Emirati territorial waters