ILOILO CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-6 (Western Visayas) has warned that the oil slick from the oil tanker that sunk in Oriental Mindoro that has reached Caluya town, Antique province may affect seaweed production. THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) checks the extent of damage from the oil slick in an affected island-barangay  in Caluya town, Antique province. (Philippine Coast Guard Western Visayas) “Caluya is known for its seaweed production.  In fact, 99 percent of seaweed production is from Caluya,” said BFAR-6 Director Remia Aparri. As of March 9, BFAR-6 said damage to seaweed production and the fishing industry has reached  more than P4 million in the town with three major island barangays. Aparri said in an online press briefing that more than 73 fisherfolk have been affected so far and their number could be higher. She noted that seaweed planting has been halted since the oil slick reached the shores of the municipality. Aside from seaweed, “tatus” or coconut crabs are found in Caluya. Aparri assured that fisherfolk involved in seaweed and coconut crab production will get needed financial and technical assistance from BFAR. BFAR-6 is awaiting the laboratory result to determine if fish and marine products taken from areas in Caluya affected by the oil slick are contaminated.