BFAR recommends maintaining fishing ban over 3 Oriental Mindoro towns

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has recommended keeping the fishing ban in three oil spill-hit areas in Oriental Mindoro as traces of oil slicks remain in the affected coastal municipalities.

In a statement Monday, the agency said fishing ban should be maintained in the towns of Pola, Pinamalayan, and Naujan citing the risk of contamination due to the lingering oil traces.

“The latest analyses of the DA-BFAR showed that traces of oil and grease in water samples slightly increased in all sampling sites in comparison to the baseline data, but these were still within the standard limit of <3.0 mg/L for Class SC waters or those suited for boating and fishing activities, as well as fish propagation intended for commercial and sustenance purposes,” it said.

“Meanwhile, the trend indicated that the PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) amount present in seafood from Oriental Mindoro had stabilized to much lower concentrations,” it added.

The towns of Calapan, Bansud, and Gloria are now safe for fishing activities as well as the coastal communities of Bongabong, Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Baco, Puerto Galera, and San Teodoro, according to DA-BFAR.

DA-BFAR to allocate P117.86M assistance

The DA-BFAR said it is planning to provide more than P117.86 million worth of emergency and relief assistance, early recovery efforts, and mid-to-long-term recovery aid for the affected communities.

Of the figures, P12 million was allocated for fuel assistance to affected fisherfolk in MIMAROPA, P4.4 million was disbursed 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 fisherfolk in the region.

Motor Tanker Princess Empress was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it capsized due to strong waves on February 28. It caused a massive oil spill that affected at least four provinces and around 30,000 families.—AOL, GMA Integrated News