Fish in oil spill areas contaminated – BFAR

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are low-level contaminants, were discovered in fish samples from the oil spill-affected areas of Oriental Mindoro, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) bared on Tuesday, March 21.

In a statement, the BFAR said it collected fish samples from the municipalities of Naujan, Pola,

Pinamalayan, Bansud, Gloria, Roxas, Mansalay, Bongabong, and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro to determine whether seafood from these areas is safe for public consumption and whether fishing bans should be imposed or lifted by the respective local government units (LGUs).

“PAH, which is harmful to humans and other living organisms, may accumulate in the flesh of fish over time,” it said.

However, the BFAR noted that the “results of the analyses are not yet conclusive as far as food safety is concerned.”

“Further sampling and analyses are being conducted to establish time-series results on the effect of the oil spill on fish concerning food safety, taking into account the magnitude of the oil spill which has reached neighboring areas like Caluya, Antique and some municipalities of Palawan,” it continued.

It vowed to regularly examine water and fish samples in impacted areas to track any potential contamination spread and assess the degree of the oil spill’s harm to the fisheries sector.

For the time being, the bureau advised that fishing operations in the aforementioned locations in Oriental Mindoro be permanently suspended for the sake of public safety.

To help fishermen and their families cope with the loss of income brought about by fishing bans, BFAR has already set aside an initial budget of ₱6.4 million for livelihood and humanitarian support. The budget includes the ₱1.5 million worth of food packages donated by the BFAR through its regional office in Mimaropa, which helped 5,000 people in Oriental Mindoro affected by the oil leak.

In a “Laging Handa” briefing on Monday, March 20, BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said the country’s fisheries sector is losing ₱5 million a day as the impact of the Oriental Mindoro oil spill continues to take its toll.