A high-profile investigation into the December 2023 plastic pellet spill in Galicia has concluded. The court in Noia has closed the case that, for months, kept environmentalists, politicians and residents on edge. The incident was caused by the loss of six containers filled with plastic pellets from the vessel Tocomao during a severe storm. As a result, thousands of tiny plastic particles washed up on the coast, sparking concern and heated debate over potential risks to the environment and public health.
However, contrary to expectations, the judicial investigation found no evidence of criminal activity or breaches of environmental regulations. Experts examining the incident concluded that the pellets contained no toxic substances and caused no measurable harm to the region’s ecosystem or biodiversity. The judge emphasized that the actions of the crew and the shipper fully complied with safety requirements, and the incident was solely due to weather conditions.
Public reaction
The court’s decision sparked a mixed response. In early 2024, Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor Yolanda Díaz compared the spill to the Prestige oil tanker disaster of 2002, which turned Galicia’s shores into an environmental disaster zone. That oil spill caused widespread damage to the region’s nature and economy. This time, the court ruled, the situation was not comparable in scale or consequences.
Díaz personally visited one of the beach areas where volunteers were collecting plastic pellets and publicly criticized the actions of the regional authorities. She accused the ruling party in Galicia of an insufficient response and of attempting to downplay the issue. Nevertheless, official reports did not confirm any threats to public health or significant environmental damage.
Expert Analyses and Conclusions
During the investigation, numerous analyses were conducted on the pellets collected along the coast. Specialists found no substances dangerous to humans or animals. Moreover, experts noted that the region already faces a high level of microplastic pollution, and the spill from the Tocomao incident did not significantly alter the overall situation. Reports emphasize that the pellets do not pose a threat to the ecosystem, and their presence in protected natural areas was minimal.
The judge specifically noted that, unlike the Prestige incident, which involved gross violations and negligence, all parties in this case acted strictly according to protocol. The containers fell overboard due to rough seas, not through any fault of the crew or shipper. Documents submitted to the court confirmed that the company followed all safety procedures.
Unanswered Questions
Despite the official case closure, some members of the public remain dissatisfied. Several activists and environmentalists argue that even minimal releases of microplastics into nature should be seen as a warning sign. They point out that the long-term consequences of such spills are still not well understood, and the absence of immediate harm does not guarantee future safety.
At the same time, the judge emphasized that none of the expert examinations found any violations of environmental protection laws. There was no evidence of threats to public health or risks to the ecosystem balance. The court’s decision is not yet final — both parties still have the right to appeal to a higher instance.
Political Subtext
The incident involving the plastic pellet spill quickly took on a political dimension. The opposition used the situation to criticize regional authorities, while the government used it to highlight its commitment to environmental standards. As a result, despite the lack of real damage, the case fueled heated debates and renewed calls for stricter oversight of maritime transport.
While courts and experts see no reason for panic, society continues to discuss how to prevent such incidents in the future. Galicia is once again in the national spotlight, with the issue of microplastics and their impact on nature dominating the agenda.
