CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has been monitoring the situation in affected fishing areas since the oil spill mishap in Oriental Mindoro late February this year

Water and fish samples are regularly collected and tested for presence of oil and grease and harmful chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), respectively, to determine whether fish and other marine organisms are safe for public consumption and  fishing grounds are rasdy to be re-opened.

The move aims to ensure the safety of the consuming public as well as the fisherfolk against harmful fuel in the affected areas. 

During onsite monitoring of sea surface on Clusters 2 (Pola) and 3 (Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud), traces of oil were observed during the sampling.

These pelagic fish samples still contain minimal levels of less toxic PAHs, but the most toxic ones were no longer detected.

Generally, the recent analyses showed lower PAH levels compared to the previous test results.

In light of the recent analyses and other onsite observations, the DA-BFAR still recommends keeping the fishing ban in Clusters 1 (Calapan, Naujan), 2, and 3 due to the risk of contamination from traces of oil that have yet to be removed from the area.

Meanwhile, the fishing waters in Clusters 4 and 5 were found to be within th acceptable standards for fishing activities.

The DA-BFAR will continue monitoring oil spill-hit areas for a time-series observation, which will be the basis of its recommendations for concerned government agencies and local government offices.

Moreover, the DA-BFAR is eyeing to provide over P117.86 million worth of emergency and relief assistance, early recovery efforts, and mid-to-long term recovery aid to oil spill-hit areas, of which P4.4 million was already spent for post-harvest training for various fisherfolk associations and cooperatives and over P1.5 million was utilized for food assistance to more than 5,000 affected fisherfolk in MIMAROPA.

Millions-worth of funds was also allocated for the ongoing grant and capacity building efforts of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats with marine engines to affected fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro.

Likewise, the Bureau has deployed monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) vessels, as well as PPE sets and other materials for clean-up activities.

Supplementary interventions are in the pipeline, including the grant of additional FRP boats, fish aggregating devices, aquaculture feed mill projects, bangus fry, tilapia fingerlings, and fish cages to areas affected by the oil spill, DA-BFAR said. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)/ With report from DA-BFAR)