The Central Board of Health, Ministry of Health Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs in collaboration with the Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Blue Economy advises all residents, fisherfolk, and seafood vendors not to harvest, consume, or sell fish and shellfish taken from the cove west of Cook’s Landfill , in the vicinity of Hermitage Bay.
On Thursday, 12 February 2026, at approximately 8:38 a.m., Antigua Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard (ABDF CG)received reports of an oil sheen in the waters at Hermitage Bay, extending in the direction of Pelican Point. The Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force Coast Guard and a team from the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) immediately responded and conducted on-site assessments, while landside assessments were conducted by Central Board of Health.
Preliminary findings indicate that the material observed on the water is a surface sheen consistent with petroleum-basedcontamination. While the sheen is not recoverable and is expected to dissipate over time, investigations suggest that the possible source may be seepage from the Cook’s Landfill area. The exact origin remains under investigation.
Although current meteorological and marine assessments indicate that wind and wave action are moving the material away from the shoreline, there remains a potential risk to marine life within the affected cove area. As a precautionary public health measure, residents are strongly advised:
• Do not fish in the cove west of Cook’s Dump(in the vicinity of Hermitage Bay).
• Do not collect or consume fish, shellfish, or other marine life from this area.
• Do not sell or distribute seafood harvested from the affected waters.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has been partially activated, and members of the Marine Pollution Plan Executive Committee, including the Environment Division, Fisheries Division, Port Authority, APUA, and other key agencies are engaged and monitoring the situation closely.
The Coast Guard remains on site, and aerial assessments have been conducted to assist with determining the extent of the seepage. Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
The public is urged to comply fully with this advisory, which has been issued in accordance with established public health and marine response protocols, in the interest of health and safety. Anyone observing unusual marine conditions or petroleum-based residue in the area is encouraged to report it immediately to the Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard via telephone at 1(268)462-0671/1(268)462-2843/1(268)462-3206/1(268)462-2841.