Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Secretary of Finance, Trade and the Economy Petal-Ann Roberts said Tobago's fisherfolk would not be reeling in $47 million in compensation for the February 7, 2024 oil spill, which stained 15 km of the south-western coastline.

The spill, which amounted to over 400,000 gallons of oil, was caused by the overturned Gulfstream barge, which was found lodged on a reef near Cove. The barge was being towed by The Solo Creed tugboat when it reportedly got into difficulty.

The disaster caused not only environmental damage and economic hardship, but also affected the health of people in nearby areas. Earlier this month, oil resurfaced along Petit Trou Bay, Lambeau, after rough seas caused a churning of sand and erosion.