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The government of the Spanish region of Asturias (north) has activated alert level 2 for maritime pollution in reference to the microplastic spill episode that initially affected the adjacent Galicia: a decision which, as stated in a note, allows the intervention of the State to contribute to the management of this emergency.
In Asturias, technicians have in fact detected, in the last 24 hours, an increase in the coastal areas affected by the presence of plastic pellets due to the loss of a load at sea by a cargo ship which occurred last December: the reason that pushed to prepare an “expansion” of the “human and technical means” available to limit the environmental damage linked to the accident.
At the moment, the decision to ask for state intervention has not been taken by the regional government of Galicia, in the hands of the People’s Party. In Asturias, however, the socialists govern, who are also the majority formation of the central executive. Last night, the Minister for Ecological Transition Teresa Ribera guaranteed the government’s willingness to “help” both Asturias and Galicia.
Pollution, the coasts of Spain invaded by plastic
Photogallery 11 photos
Alert level two allows the central government to intervene to help deal with the emergency.
Galicia has backtracked and will also raise its alert to level two due to the arrival of a massive quantity of plastic pellets on its beaches. This will allow the central government to collaborate in cleaning up the affected areas.