The Azov-Black Sea Interdistrict Environmental Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the recent discharge of palm oil along the coast of Anapa, which was discovered on April 5 and 6, 2025. The news was reported by RBC, citing the press service of the supervisory authority.
According to the prosecutor's office, specialists from Rosprirodnadzor have taken samples from the affected area, but results are still pending. The Novorossiysk Transport Prosecutor's Office is currently working to identify the source of the pollution.
The operational headquarters of the Krasnodar Territory reported that the discharge of a white substance was found along the coastline of the Bugaz Spit, specifically between the village of Blagoveshchenskaya in Anapa and the village of Volna in the Temryuk district. The affected area stretches approximately 10 kilometers.
Preliminary assessments by specialists indicate that the substance in question is palm oil. The bulk of the discharge occurred on Saturday, April 5, with reports suggesting that it had virtually dissipated by the following day.
Environmental concerns have been raised regarding the impact of palm oil on marine life. Tatyana Tribrat, co-chair of the public environmental council under the head of Novorossiysk, speculated that the cause of the discharge may have been an accident in the port of Taman, where there is a facility for handling food and vegetable oils. She emphasized the harmful effects of palm oil, stating, "Like any fat, it will float and spread on the surface of the water when heated, preventing oxygen from penetrating. Therefore, it should also be removed from the beach."
However, not everyone agrees with the theory that the port of Taman is responsible for the pollution. Roman Pukalov, the director of environmental programs at the all-Russian public organization "Green Patrol," expressed skepticism about the Taman explanation. In a post on his Telegram channel, he stated, "There was no leak in the port of Taman, and the incident most likely occurred in the open sea, in neutral waters." He also mentioned that there is currently no confirmed information regarding a ship that may have discharged its tanks in the vicinity.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Pukalov referred to unverified reports of a ship that "washed" its tanks in neutral waters near the Bugaz Spit. This incident raises questions about maritime practices and environmental safety in the region.
In a similar vein, ecologist Evgeny Vitishko suggested that the palm oil could have been discarded carelessly, potentially in a drainage ditch, leading to its presence in the coastal waters. He assessed that the palm oil discharge would not cause more damage to the Anapa coastline than previous incidents involving oil spills. He lamented that the area, which is a specially protected natural territory of regional significance, has already suffered significant ecological harm, stating, "Most birds and other animals have either died or left the area."
Georgy Kavanosyan, another environmental expert, highlighted that this is not the first instance of palm oil pollution in the region. He noted that in February 2024, residents of Taman discovered similar clots of a "chemical smell" along the shore, accompanied by numerous dead jellyfish. At that time, there were suspicions of a leak from the port of Taman, which is responsible for about 60% of all palm oil imported into Russia.
Kavanosyan also recalled that in 2017, a court had suspended the activities of the company "Food Ingredients," which handles the transshipment of palm oil through the port of Taman due to numerous violations related to environmental protection and safety. This company is part of the EFCO group, which is recognized as one of the largest exporters of palm oil in Russia.
The situation has sparked public concern, with many calling for stricter regulations on environmental safety in maritime operations. Local communities and environmental organizations are urging authorities to take swift action to mitigate the impact of such incidents on marine ecosystems.
The investigation by the Azov-Black Sea Interdistrict Environmental Prosecutor's Office is ongoing, and the results of the sampling by Rosprirodnadzor are eagerly awaited. The findings will likely play a crucial role in determining accountability for the discharge and in shaping future preventative measures.
As the ecological implications of the palm oil discharge unfold, the broader discussions around environmental responsibility and corporate practices in Russia's maritime industry are expected to gain momentum. Stakeholders from various sectors, including environmentalists, local governments, and the shipping industry, will need to collaborate to ensure that such incidents are addressed effectively and that the health of coastal ecosystems is prioritized.
