|
Friday, September 15, 2006
Guimaras corals, fish safe from oil spill contamination
By Maricar Aranas
THE rich coral and fish resources in the seas off Guimaras are safe from oil spill contamination, a study by a team from the Silliman University Marine Laboratory (SUML) revealed.
SUML leader and former environment secretary Angel Alacala described the bunker oil spill as a "divine intervention", explaining that if the ill-fated cargo vessel m/t Solar 1 had carried gasoline, the effect would have been devastating.
Alcala, an international marine biologist based in Silliman University, said during their survey the fish resources in the affected areas were still safe for eating.
The former environment secretary said his team cooked some of the fish and after eating them they did not experience ill effects.
But, he said, he was concerned about the effects of the spill on the mangroves because these coastal forests were fish spawning grounds.
Alcala said as of the weekend, the oil spill was heading towards the Negros Occidental side and could affect the seas off Bacolod City, Bago City, Himamaylan, and neighboring islands.
He said the team will submit its survey findings to Petron. The survey results would include the spill's environmental impact and a recommendation on how to address the problem.
At the moment, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental was buying coco coir in bulk from Negros Oriental to use to ward off the flow of the oil spill from heading in their direction.
(September 14, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
