Offshore Pollution Reported in Mexico

Oil slicks and dumping of chemical wastes by the government petroleum monopoly Pemex are fouling the waters in Campeche Sound, where Mexico pumps most of its offshore petroleum, the newspaper El Universal reported Monday.

The polluting may even threaten the country’s shrimp and fishing industries, the paper said.

The report quoted fisherman in the southeastern port of Ciudad del Carmen as saying their catches--especially of shrimp--get smaller every year, and often crustaceans and fish come up with oil stains on them.