After traces of petrochemicals were found in fish samples, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has prohibited the consumption of fish and shellfish from Noveleta and Rosario, Cavite.

In BFAR’s Oil Spill Bulletin No. 2, the agency reported that sensory evaluation of fish samples from Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite revealed some level of petrochemical tainting, even before any oil slicks were detected in the area.

“Nevertheless, the Bureau maintains that as a precautionary measure, fish harvested from areas where oil slicks are observed be deemed unsafe for human consumption,” it stated.

According to BFAR, fish samples obtained from Tanza, Cavite City, and Naic showed no signs of petrochemical contamination when they were taken.

The bureau stated that the prohibition aims to prevent incidents of food poisoning caused by the consumption of contaminated seafood.

“As a precautionary measure ay ipinagbawal nang tuluyan ng BFAR iyong pagkain ng mga isda, lalo na iyong mga shellfish dito sa mga lugar na nabanggit (As a precautionary measure, BFAR has completely banned the consumption of fish, especially shellfish, in the said areas),” Department of Agriculture (DA) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a television interview.

The DA spokesperson said that BFAR is consistently carrying out sensory testing to prevent contaminated fish and shellfish from entering the market.

“Kagaya noong nakita nga rito sa may bandang Rosario at Noveleta na kahit kaunti lang ay ipinagbawal na kaagad para masigurado natin na hindi pa lalong lalala itong problema natin sa oil spill (Just like what was observed in Rosario and Noveleta, even with minimal contamination, a ban was immediately enforced to ensure that our oil spill problem does not worsen),” he went on.

Meanwhile, De Mesa said that DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed BFAR to give fuel assistance to fisherfolk affected by the oil spill, allowing them to access fishing areas far from the contaminated waters.

“Iyong bawat mangingisda ay makakatanggap ng P3,000 assistance mula rito sa fuel subsidy na ibinibigay ng DA (Each fisherman will receive ₱3,000 in assistance from the fuel subsidy provided by the DA),” he said.

The spokesperson stated that the agriculture department is also looking into whether fishers can be provided with the Quick Response Fund from the DA.

Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) had earlier reported that around 29,000 fishers could be at risk if the oil spill continues to spread to seven coastal towns in Cavite.

On July 25, MTKR Terranova, carrying 1.4 million liters of oil, capsized and sank off the waters of Limay, Bataan.