IF it can have its way, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) wants to keep fishing bans in most municipalities affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.
BFAR, however, is leaving the final decision to the provincial government whether to resume fishing activities in some areas after water samples were found to be within acceptable standards for fishing activities.
The agency recommended that the fishing ban be continued in the municipalities of 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.
The agency said fishing waters in Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, Puerto Galera, Baco and San Teodoro were within acceptable standards for fishing activities.
Amid the continued testing, BFAR said it is eyeing to provide over P117.86 million worth of emergency and relief assistance, early recovery efforts, and mid-to-long term recovery aid to oil spill-hit areas.
International advocacy organization Oceana said that full transparency in the operations of commercial fishing vessels will ensure that fish and seafood caught in local waters are not illegally caught and safe, amid the impacts of the oil spill.
Oceana reiterated its appeal to President Marcos Jr. to lift the suspension of the implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order 266 and immediately implement the Vessel Monitoring Measures and Electronic Reporting System to effectively detect commercial fishing vessels operating in oil spill-affected areas and trace their fish catch that may be potentially unsafe for human consumption.
Protect VIP, a coalition of communities, sectors and advocates for the protection of the Verde Island Passage (VIP), raised alarm over reports that Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor has ordered the lifting of fishing bans in some towns.
“We understand the urgency of letting our fisherfolk make a living, but we question why the ban is being lifted when MT Princess Empress continues to leak toxic oil into the waters of VIP,” said Gerry Arances, Protect VIP co-convenor.
“Is the government saying they can’t help affected fisherfolk anymore and they should fend for themselves? The lifting of the ban at this point might cause more harm than any benefit from letting fishermen go out to the sea. Fishermen might suffer from ailments if they encounter spill-affected waters, and we cannot guarantee that the fish they catch have not been affected,” Arances added.
