St. John’s, Antigua – The livelihoods of fishers operating along Antigua’s west coast have been disrupted following a public health order banning fishing and seafood harvesting in waters affected by a contaminant spill linked to Cook’s Landfill.

Authorities have prohibited the harvesting, consumption and sale of fish and shellfish taken from waters stretching from Seaforth Beach to Pinching Bay. Recreational activity in the affected zone has also been suspended until further notice.

The ban follows confirmation that petroleum-based contaminants entered coastal waters near Hermitage Bay. A meeting of the Marine Pollution Committee on Friday determined that runoff from the government-operated Cook’s Landfill had seeped into the marine environment.

The incident was first reported at 8:38 a.m. Thursday when the Pilot Station at the Antigua Port Authority alerted the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) to suspected marine pollution. NODS partially activated the National Emergency Operations Centre under the Marine Pollution Plan.

The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard conducted marine and aerial assessments after reports of an oil sheen extending from Hermitage Bay toward Pelican Point. Oil-absorbent booms were deployed to contain the spread. Preliminary assessments describe the pollutant as a petroleum surface sheen.

While wind and wave action are pushing the contamination offshore, officials warn that mangroves and marine life within the affected cove remain vulnerable. Water quality testing and environmental monitoring are ongoing. On Friday, coast guard confiscated a bag of cackles from fishermen who had been harvesting within the contamination site.

At the same time, police have launched a search for the operators of a truck captured on cellular phone video allegedly dumping sewage in the vicinity of Cook’s Landfill as emergency teams worked to contain the oil seepage on Friday. Authorities confirm that the area where the sewage was reportedly discharged is not designated for sewage disposal. Police are asking members of the public with information about the trucks or their operators to come forward.

Environmental advocate Eli Fuller has posted video evidence of similar dumping activity dating as far back as 2012, raising long-standing concerns about waste management practices in and around the landfill.

Minister for Social and Urban Transformation, Hon. Rawdon Turner, condemned the act of illegal dumping, describing it as wanton environmental destruction. He said the government will identify those responsible and ensure corrective action is taken.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have prohibited the harvesting, consumption and sale of fish and shellfish taken from waters west of Cook’s Landfill, from Seaforth Beach to Pinching Bay. Residents have also been ordered to stay out of the restricted zone until further notice.

While wind and wave action are reportedly pushing the sheen away from the shoreline, officials warn that mangroves and marine life within the affected cove remain vulnerable. Monitoring and testing continue as authorities assess the full environmental impact.