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Greenpeace flagship Moby Dick is touring the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean highlighting the plights of the local communities facing the effects of environmental destruction.
14 February 1996: Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz State
Tour of the oil and chemical facilities on three Greenpeace inflatables and three fishing boats. There was a large outfall pipe spilling into what was once an expansive mangrove habitat. It has destroyed a very rich fishing industry.
In Pajaritos Lagoon, where there is a high concentration of refinery and chemical factories, the fisherman and press have been denied access.
Greenpeace held a press conference next to the pipes which discharge chlorine based chemicals produced at the facility. Petroleos Mexicana (Pemex), the government owned oil company, denied any pollution in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
15 February 1996: Barra de Santa Ana, state of Tabasco
Greenpeace met with concerned fishermen, oyster gatherers and campesinos who have lost their livelihoods due to the environmental destruction from the Pemex facility. Greenpeace held a rally in the public square where 300 people attended, voicing their anger at Pemex. There is a growing civil resistance movement in Tabasco, which is spreading to Campeche and Veracruz, against the oil companies and their rampant destruction of fragile ecosystems.
19 February 1996: Expected in Cozumel at 0800
Greenpeace will highlight the protection of the coral reefs, particularly from the plans to build a dock over the Paradise Reef for oceanliners and cruise ships.
22 February 1996: Expected arrival in Puerto Barrios, Saint Tomas de Castilla, Livingston
Greenpeace will highlight the manatee habitat protection.
For more information contact: Greenpeace Mexico, +525 536 4160, or call the Moby Dick, +874 130 2403 (calls cost $10/min)