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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Expert recommends the reduction of fish ban radius in Oriental Mindoro - DOST

Expert recommends the reduction of fish ban radius in Oriental Mindoro - DOST

Published Jun 23, 2023 09:08 am
An expert and "Balik Scientist" from the Department of Science and Technology has recommended the reduction of the area of the fish ban from the current 15 kilometers radius to 5 kilometers in Oriental Mindoro. This was according to Dr. Hernando P. Bacosa, a National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) expert and DOST Balik Scientist, who was tapped by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro to provide scientific advice on the next steps to take after the cleaning operations in the area ended last June. Currently, the fishing ban continues in the towns of Naujan, Pola, and Pinamalayan. Upon completing the oil spill removal by DSV Fire Opal Monrovia, the Local Government Units (LGUs) started considering the complete lifting of the fish ban in the area. However, with the insights from the DOST expert, Bacosa, it is suggested that the 15-kilometer fish ban radius be reduced to a 5 km radius instead. Bacosa advised that should there be no more visible oil slicks near the spill site, the total fish ban in all areas in Oriental Mindoro initially affected by the spill can be lifted within the next two or three weeks. The final leg of oil spill removal in Oriental Mindoro included the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Bacosa’s engagement in the government’s oil spill clean-up and recovery efforts are funded through the DOST- National Research Council of the Philippines Engagement Program (NEEP).  This program caters to the expert needs of our clients and stakeholders for various forms of knowledge transfer, expert, and advisory services. Foremost on the agenda of the post-clean-up efforts is determining the time frame of the ongoing fishing ban in several towns in Oriental Mindoro. Bacosa assessed the activity aboard the Dynamic Support Vessel (DSV) Fire Opal Monrovia, a Liberian-flagged vessel that led the oil removal operations that started last May 29 and completed on June 16. "The hatch cover of all oil tanks was opened to allow the oil to be released out of the containers. More than 84 thousand liters of an oily mixture were recovered using the shuttle method from the oil containers from June 11 to June 15," DOST said. The final leg of siphoning showed very minimal visible oil discharge and tanks already appeared to be empty. However, Bacosa noted that certain layers of oil could have adhered to the walls of the containers. Certain patches of oil layers formed in the upper corners of the tanks. The highly viscous nature of the bunker oil may have created a thicker oil layer inside the containers. DOST said that he advised that the remaining oil can only be removed by the natural weathering processes which include but are not limited to dissolution, emulsion, agitation due to the action of swimming organisms, and biodegradation by naturally occurring bacteria. Given the low temperature in the deep sea, and the viscosity and the heavy molecular weight nature of the oil, the degradation process is very slow and may take a long time to occur. "By tapping the vast knowledge of the DOST oil spill expert and incorporating his insights into oil spill response plans, we are fostering a culture of resilience and innovation in environmental conservation and guided decisions," DOST said.

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Balik Scientist Program oil spill Department of Science and Technology (DOST) department of science and technology (DOST) oil spill clean up
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