World Report: December 13, 2002 Vol.8 No.11
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
A Big Cleanup off the Coast of Spain
Last week, thousands of fishermen went to work along Spain's northwest coast. The catch of the day was grim. They scooped globs of oil from the sea with buckets, nets and even their hands.
The mess was left by a November 13 oil spill. A ship carrying 20 million gallons of oil was damaged in a storm. It split in half and sank six days later near Spain, spilling 5.3 million gallons of oil.
At least 180 miles of Spain's coastline are damaged. Thousands of birds and fish have been hurt or killed. Scientists say the pollution could affect the area for 20 years.
By December 6, crews were fighting to keep the oil from reaching France and Portugal. A fleet of high-tech antipollution ships got to work sucking up the oil.
Loyola de Palacio, vice president of transport for the European Union, called for tough new oil-shipping rules and an immediate ban on old, unsafe ships like the one that caused the spill. "We've wasted valuable time," she said.
