Zulia fishermen face oil spills and power outages

In the Zulia state of Venezuela, local fishermen are facing significant economic and operational challenges due to frequent crude oil spills. These spills, reportedly caused by collapsed and ruptured pipelines, damage fishing nets and force workers to operate further from the coast to avoid contamination. Replacing damaged equipment can cost between $3,000 and $4,000.

In addition to the environmental impact, the fishing community struggles with precarious public services. Frequent electricity outages, lasting between six and seven hours daily, complicate the preservation of their catch, forcing fishermen to rely on ice to prevent spoilage. These issues persist even as the country attempts to reactivate its oil industry, which has suffered from two decades of underinvestment in infrastructure.