BFAR: No plan to lift Cavite fishing ban

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is not planning to recommend the lifting of the fishing ban in Cavite as fish in affected coastal areas are not safe for human consumption, a BFAR official said yesterday. At a press conference, BFAR spokesman Nasser Briguera said fish samples taken from the coast of Cavite did not pass the laboratory analysis standards.

“We are following scientific protocols in terms of declaring whether or not a particular area can be declared negative of traces of oil. As of now, we don’t recommend the lifting of the ban in Cavite based on the results of our laboratory analysis,” Briguera said.

Earlier, fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla to lift the ban imposed on eight coastal municipalities due to the sinking of oil tankers in Bataan.

“It will compromise the safety of the public if there are still traces of oil and grease (in fish caught in affected areas),” Briguera said.

Pamalakaya said the ban is detrimental to the livelihood of fisherfolk as these areas are not affected by the oil spill.

Remulla declared a state of calamity in Bacoor, Kawit, Maragondon, Naic, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza and Ternate after two oil tankers sank in the waters off Bataan.

A no-catch zone has been implemented for all shellfish in the province.

In the latest bulletin issued following the oil spill in Bataan, the BFAR said that fish samples taken from Cavite showed traces of oil and grease, and presence of harmful contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

Briguera said the fishing ban would remain indefinitely until fish samples test negative for PAH.

He said fish from Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga and Metro Manila are safe for human consumption.

“Fish and shellfish samples from Las Piñas, Parañaque and Navotas were found to be free from oil and grease contamination based on the results of the sensory evaluation conducted on July 31, and Aug. 6 and 12,” the BFAR said.

It said fish samples from Batangas, particularly in Nasugbu, Lian and Calatagan also tested negative for oil and grease.