Emerging effects and responses to the oil spill (La Pampilla Refinery 2022)

Abstract

The spill of 11,900 barrels of oil at La Pampilla refinery (Ventanilla, Callao) contaminated 98 sites (beaches, cliffs, points and other coastal formations) causing a wave of effects. The question arising is, what are the emerging effects and responses of the oil spill on the living conditions of the affected fishermen? The methodology was qualitative with a phenomenological-narrative design. Participant observation, semistructured interviews, and journalistic news gathering were used as research (and information gathering) techniques. Sampling was non-probabilistic, guided by observation (purposive sample). Interviews and observations were conducted in Ancon (docks) and Ventanilla under informed consent. The analysis was thematic (through inductive coding) of the interviews and observations in Nvivo software. As a result of the emerging themes, journalistic news and existing literature were compiled to triangulate the information. Among the results, 3 effects of the oil spill on the living conditions of artisanal fishermen were identified: i) contamination of the marine habitat and hydrobiological resources, ii) loss of jobs or unemployment, iii) health effects. On the other hand, 3 emerging responses were found: i) organizational strengthening, ii) emerging jobs, and iii) solidarity networks. It is concluded that in the face of the effects, complex and, to a certain degree, contradictory emerging responses emerge, which are unsustainable over time and fail to balance the current multidimensional affectation. Therefore, solutions and proposals are urgently needed at the institutional-political-legislative (by the Peruvian State) and business-economic (by the Repsol del Peru S.A.C. Group) levels that are sustainable over time, effective and multidimensional.