“We try to be reactive”, “we put in the means”… the Port of Sète reacts to oil pollution

Des nappes d'hydrocarbures ont été constatées, à quatre reprises dans les canaux de Sète, entre décembre 2023 et janvier 2024. Midi Libre – Nicolas Zarrouk

On December 13 and 19, 2023, then January 3 and 14, 2024, oil slicks were spotted on the surface of the water in the city's canals. Here is the reaction of the Port of Sète.

Faced with this pollution, dams had been put in place by the Port of Sète to limit the spread of materials impacting aquatic fauna and flora. But for the association Les Gardiens de Thau, acting in reaction is not enough. In a recent press release, she was exasperated by the lack of responsiveness of Port Sud de France and pointed out in particular "the lack of control, investigation and verbalization by the authorities& ;quot;.

Also read: Pollution in Sète: the Guardians of Thau are stepping up to the plate in the face of recurring attacks on the environment

"We try to be responsive"

Faced with the association's denunciations, Olivier Carmes, general director of Port Sud de France, recalls that "checks were carried out", in vain. "For the latest pollution, we had identified a potential source. The action was carried out and the doubt was removed. The pollution did not come from the ship in question", reveals Géraldine Lamy, environmental manager of Port Sud de France.

Regarding the lack of responsiveness, "we try to be responsive. We put in the means (dams, pumping systems) and we intervene very regularly on this type of pollution to which we are all sensitive, adds Olivier Carmes. "Today, we do not have the means to identify the sources. There is wind, currents, it’s difficult to go up the slopes. When we find the origin, and it's quite rare, we do what we need to do with the user so that it doesn't happen again", complete Géraldine Lamy.