BFAR recommends fishing ban in oil spill-hit areas

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recommends the continuous suspension of fishing activities in some oil spill-affected areas in Oriental Mindoro for public safety.

Initial tests by BFAR detected oil and grease in water samples, with levels below the DENR standard, and low-level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in fish samples, which can accumulate in fish flesh over time.

Despite preliminary findings not being conclusive for food safety, BFAR cited public safety as the reason for its science-based recommendation to suspend fishing, which Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor approved.

BFAR has allocated an initial budget of PHP6.4 million for livelihood and relief assistance to over 19,000 affected fishers, including food packs and rehabilitation programs.

Further sampling and analyses are being conducted to establish the food safety of seafood, considering the oil spill has reached Caluya, Antique, and some municipalities of Palawan, where fishing activities are also halted.

The oil spill originated from the sinking of MT Princess Empress off the coast of Naujan town on February 28.