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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Oil slicks to affect Verde Island Passage for the rest of the week

Oil slicks to affect Verde Island Passage for the rest of the week

Published Mar 22, 2023 08:26 am
Oil slicks from the sunken MT Princess Empress were seen to flow through the Verde Island Passage (VIP) until March 26, the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) said. "The latest satellite image on March 19 shows that the oil is still leaking out of the sunken vessel, and the visible slick is extending northwest towards the VIP," UP MSI said in its bulletin on March 21. "Oil spill trajectories for March 17-26 forecasts that the spill will flow through the VIP for the rest of the week," it added. The institute added that weaker winds and calmer seas are the ideal conditions to collect oil slicks using booms and skimmers to avoid further spreading. "Westward currents along northern Mindoro towards the Verde Island Passage are continuing. Winds are weaker, more variable, and shifting to easterlies (or winds coming from the east) blowing to the west through the VIP this week. Due to weakening winds, oil slicks with larger areas are able to form. These slicks may be brought by the wind to the VIP," the Institute explained. The VIP, located between Batangas and Mindoro, has the highest concentration of various marine species such as fish, corals, mangroves, crustaceans, and others. "The VIP is also home to endangered and threatened species including the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, humphead wrasses, giant groupers, and giant clams," UP MSI noted. It also warned that the damages from the oil slicks may affect the passage's biodiversity, including endemic species only found in the country and those that are yet to be discovered, tourism, and food security within the area. Courtesy of UP MSI

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