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BFAR eyes resumption of fishing in some oil spill-hit areas

By Anna Leah Gonzales

May 8, 2023, 6:10 pm

MANILA – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Monday announced that the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro may consider the resumption of fishing activities in some municipalities.

In its Oriental Mindoro Oil Spill Bulletin No. 4, BFAR said fishing activities may now resume in Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, Puerto Galera, Baco, and San Teodoro.

BFAR, however, 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.

"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 if fish and other marine organisms are safe for public consumption and if fishing grounds should be reopened," BFAR said.

BFAR assured that monitoring in oil spill-hit areas will continue. This will be the basis of its recommendations for concerned government agencies and local government offices.

As part of the government's efforts to help municipal fisherfolk, BFAR earlier recommended alternative fishing grounds such as the municipal waters of Paluan, Abra de Ilog, San Jose, and Magsaysay, all in Occidental Mindoro; Boac and Gasan in Marinduque; and Concepcion in Romblon.

The government will provide fuel subsidies.

Aside from these, BFAR is also eyeing to provide more than PHP117.86 million worth of emergency and relief assistance, early recovery efforts, and medium to long-term recovery aid to oil spill-hit areas.

Of the total, PHP4.4 million was already used for post-harvest training for fisherfolk associations and cooperatives while PHP1.5 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. In addition, the bureau has deployed monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) vessels, as well as PPE sets and other materials for clean-up activities," the BFAR said.

The BFAR added the government is also planning to provide grant for additional FRP boats, fish aggregating devices, aquaculture feed mill projects, bangus (milkfish) fry, tilapia fingerlings, and fish cages to areas affected by the oil spill. (PNA)

 

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