Don’t fish near Malau waters as Bala warns public of chemical spill
Toxic chemical spills into ocean after Fiji Forests Industries tank containing Tanalith ruptures; Authorities investigating spillage adding it may take three weeks to curb the problem; Residents near affected area outraged saying they have been robbed of
The Minister for Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries are warning people not to eat fish or swim near the site of a chemical spill at Malau in Labasa. The incident at Malau Port happened two weeks ago and was identified by the Department of Environment as Tanalith. Tanalith is a chemical used by the Fiji Forest Industries at Malau to treat sawn timber. It was stored in a tank that had ruptured, according to the department. They are now investigating the cause of the spill. Attempts to get a comment from Fiji Forest Industries general manager operations Stephen Clark before this edition went to press were not successful.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
Minister for Local, Government, Housing and Environment Parveen Bala said a co-ordinated approach had been taken by three agencies – Ministry of Environment, National Fire Authority and Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji – to mitigate the spillage. “Immediate remedial work reported (apart from containing the spill) to have been undertaken included the deposit of sawdust in the contaminated area, which was used to soak up contaminated water,” he said.
“It was unclear how far the chemical had spread but people should avoid fishing or entering the water on the coast near Malau. “Spilt chemical was pumped into glue containers and preventive measures ordered include increase of the Bund height, which holds the chemical tanks to prevent incidents from reoccurring.
“It is understood that a stop-work notice was issued by the ministry and a remedial notice under Section 38(1) of the Environment Management Act,” he said.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Joshua Wycliffe, told Fiji Sun that FFI had reported a burst from its tanalith storage tanks, which spilt into the surrounding environment of the facility.
Mr Wycliffe said the distance from the sea to where the chemical tank ruptured was about 200 metres.
CHEMICAL EFFECTS
Considered as a toxic chemical to aquatic organisms Tanalith could have long lasting effects on the marine ecosystem.
The chemical product a mix of chromium, copper, and arsenic, should not be allowed to enter drains, watercourses or the soil.
Fisheries director Aisake Batibasaga said people needed to be wary of seafood harvested in the Malau area after the spill incident.
Mr Batibasaga said: “It will take three to six months for the Department of Environment to curb the problem. People should refrain from swimming as they could get burnt straight away as they get into the water.”
Wildlife Conservation Society Fiji director Sangeeta Mangubhai declined to comment on the issue because she did not have the facts of the incident, adding it was not her field of expertise.
RESIDENTS UNHAPPY
The incident has left many in the area frustrated, like Josefa Poe who lives in Vuo Village. He said they have been robbed of their source of income.
“I feel that people in the area should have been informed because they used waters in the area for sustenance,” he said.
“We are aware of the chemical spill; they would have warned people in the area earlier who fish for consumption and income.”
He said four weeks ago, people were using nets to fish along the Malau coastline.
“Today, we can no longer fish at Malau. I sell the fish I catch at the Labasa Market as a source of income for the family,” he said.
“But for the last two weeks, I’ve had to go out and look for a job.” Luke Vugonisa said fish and other marine life were found dead along the shores because of the spill. “Our children swim in the area; now we are taking extra precaution because we have been told that the chemicals in the sea could burn our bodies,” he said.
“We had received a report from Fiji Forest Industries (FFI) that one of its Tanalith storage tanks had burst and that this chemical had spilled onto the surrounding environment at the facility.
“We are also told that a coordinated approach had been taken by three agencies – Ministry of Environment, National Fire Authority and Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji – to mitigate the spillage.” Mr Vuganisa is urging the authorities to act quickly in addressing the spillage.
Another resident Waisea Makulau said: “People were still throwing their nets and fishing in the Malau coastline. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama needs to make a visit here, so we could personally tell him what the village is facing.”