(Photo courtesy of the DENR)
Fisherfolk group warns on possible fish kill in Oriental Mindoro oil spill site
At a glance
A progressive fisherfolk group warned on Thursday, March 9, of possible widespread fish kill in areas affected by the oil spill in Oriental, Mindoro which has now reached its neighboring provinces.
Exposure to oil can sicken or kill fish and shellfish species, consequently affecting the catch of fisherfolk, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) Chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a statement.
“The government should have a contingency plan for any potential ecological disaster caused by the fish kill that could affect fish supply and local prices,” it said.
On Feb. 28, the Philippine Coast Guard reported an oil spill from motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress which sank off the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. It was carrying more than 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil as cargo.
Earlier, Pamalakaya-Panay sought immediate economic subsidies for around 1,200 fishing families affected by the oil spill in Semirara Island, Antique.
“Dapat paghandaan ng mga kinauukulang ahensya ng gobyerno ang posibilidad ng malawakang fish kill at pagbagsak ng huling isda dahil sa oil spill (Concerned government agencies must be prepared for the possibility of fish kill due to the oil spill)," Hicap urged.
The official highlighted the possible impact of the oil spill on Palawan and Antique's fish species such as bullet tuna and skipjack tuna, as well as seaweed farms.
"Partikular sa mga lalawigan ng Palawan at Antique, posibleng maapektuhan ang huli ng iba’t ibang klaseng tuna tulad ng tulingan at tambakol, pati na rin ang malalawak na seaweed farms (Particularly in Palawan and Antique, where fish species such as bullet tuna, skipjack tuna, and even seaweed farms can be could be affected)," he said.
"Nauna nang naiulat na aabot sa P79 milyon ang halaga ng seaweed ang apektado ng oil spill sa lalawigan ng Antique, kung saan mahigit 10,000 mangingisda ang nakaasa sa nasabing industriya (It has already been reported that nearly P79 million worth of seaweed were affected by the oil spill in Antique, where over 10,000 fisherfolk depend on for their livelihood)," he added.
The Pamalakaya seeks for a "clear plan" from the government for the rehabilitation of affected resources.
"Nananawagan kami ng klarong plano ng pamahalaan para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga apektadong bakawan, bahura, at iba pang bahagi ng pangisdaan (We are calling for a clear plan from the government for the rehabilitation of affected mangroves, coral reefs, and other parts of the affected bodies of water)," Hicap stated.
He also reminded that fisherfolk whose livelihoods have been affected for weeks now need immediate and enough subsidy from the government.