Fish caught around Guimaras still safe to eat
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conducted an examination of fishes caught around Guimaras and found that they are still fit for consumption.
"Fish caught from open waters are not contaminated; they are safe to eat," said BFAR regional director Dorosila Ong Tuesday, during the regular press briefing of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council.
She observed that there was much disinformation over the fitness for consumption of the fishes caught in and around the areas affected by the oil spill.
Samples of fish caught by fishermen in the Panay Gulf and Guimaras strait were subjected to an examination last Monday for possible contamination due to the oil spill. However, no traces of hydrocarbons or bunker fuel were found in all of the 20 species tested, Ong said.
All fishes caught in San Lorenzo, Nueva Valencia, Sibunag, Buenavista and Jordan were tested negative for bunker fuel, she added.
By open waters is meant those areas not along the coast, she said.
Ong explained that fishes in the open sea would avoid the oil slicks, and would swim either deeper or away from the affected waters.
She also said that fishing equipment is expensive and that it is sensitive to and easily destroyed when used in areas affected by the oil spill.
"They will avoid fishing in the oil spill site because that would destroy their fishing gear," Ong said of Guimaras fisherfolks.
On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture 6 (DA 6) reported that their initial soil sampling and analysis to determine the effect of the oil spill on soil conducted in 14 priority barangays in the province of Guimaras last August 30, 2006 showed negative effects on the soil fertility for crop production.
The 27 soil samples were taken in the 12 barangays of the municipality of Nueva Valencia and in two barangays of Sibunag, said DA 6 Soil Laboratory Chief Helen Maquiling.
The barangays where the soil samples were taken are: Barangays Igang, Magamay, Tando, Dolores, Tandaraonan, Lapaz, San Roque, Lucmayan, Cabalagnan, Canhawan, Igdarapdap and San Antonio in Nueva Valencia town and Alegria and San Isidro in Sibunag.
Maquiling said another round of soil sampling was done last August 31 and the result of which is due to come out soon.
(With a report from PIA)