BFAR sees no traces of oil, chemical in fish, shellfish in 7 bay areas

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MANILA, Philippines — No traces of oil and chemicals were found in samples of fish and shellfish in seven areas surrounding Manila Bay even after the fuel spillage caused by a sunken motor tanker.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that as of Monday, August 12, all fish samples from Navotas, Manila, Parañaque, and Las Piñas, Bataan, Bulacan, and Pampanga are free from oil and grease contamination.

Also as of August 9, fish samples from Batangas, particularly in the areas Nasugbu, Lian, and Calatagan, conducted showed that all samples were negative for traces of oil and grease.

“Based on the stated results, the public is therefore informed that fish from Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas, and Metro Manila (Navotas, Parañaque, and Las Piñas) are safe for human consumption,” the BFAR said in a statement on Tuesday.

On the other hand, fish and shellfish collected in Cavite “are still not safe for human consumption based on sensory evaluation.”

Last July 25, MT Terranova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, capsized and eventually submerged off Bataan, killing a crew member.

The spillage spread up to the coasts of Manila and nearby provinces.

READ: Cavite gov’t readies suit vs sunken tanker owner

The Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday began the initial siphoning process for the industrial fuel oil in the sunken motor tanker.