BFAR says Oriental Mindoro LGU may allow fishing to resume

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro may consider ordering the resumption of fishing activities in seven municipalities affected by a recent oil spill.

“The fishing waters in Clusters 4 (Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao) and 5 (Puerto Galera, Baco, San Teodoro) were found to be within acceptable standards for fishing activities. The provincial government of Mindoro may consider the resumption of fishing activities in the said municipalities,” a BFAR statement, quoted by GMA News, said.

Meanwhile, it still recommended keeping the fishing ban in Calapan, Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, and Bansud due to the risk of contamination from traces of oil that have yet to be removed from the area, GMA News reported.

BFAR said traces of oil were observed during onsite monitoring of sea surface in Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, and Bansud during sampling and added that water samples collected last April 24 showed that oil and grease remained in affected areas but these are still within the standard (3.0 mg/ L) set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Class SC waters or Fishery Water Class and Recreational Water Class that are suited for boating and fishing activities, as well as fish propagation intended for commercial and sustenance purposes.

The BFAR also said that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), on the other hand, were no longer detected in most of the fish samples collected last April 17, except for pelagic fish samples from Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, Puerto Galera, Baco, and San Teodoro, GMA News reported.