An oil spill that occurred after the tragic sea mishap has allegedly caused a fish kill episode in the coastal town of Cordova in Cebu.
About 121 lapu-lapu (grouper) fish being raised at a fish cage in Barangay Bangbang, Cordova were reported to have died from oil contamination apparently coming from the sunken MV St. Thomas Aquinas, which collided with the cargo ship Sulpicio Express Siete.
Aside from the reported fish kill, five fishing villages in the town had also complained about reduce daily catches.
Roque Yburan, a Cordova municipal councilor, revealed that the oil spill reached their town fanned in part with the southwest monsoon winds, locally known as habagat.
The oil spill was also claimed to have contaminated much of the town’s mangrove areas and fishing grounds.
Yburan added that close to 200 fishermen from their town, including those involved in eel catching, are claiming that the oil spill is affecting their catches.
In Cordova, sea eel, or bakasi, is a known delicacy and a popular source of livelihood.
Cebu Provincial Fisheries officer Edgar Delfin told Solar News that coastlines in five barangays in Cordova have been contaminated by the oil spill.
These are barangays Day-as, Buagsong, Pilipog, San Miguel and Bangbang.
During an inspection in one of the affected areas, Delfin urged the municipal and provincial governments to help each other in containing the spill.
He added that the effects of the spill could worsen if contaminated debris isn’t removed before the onset of the high tide.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III has ordered the local governments in the province’s coastal areas to take proactive steps once the oil spill reaches their areas.
Davide also revealed that he plans to coordinate with oil companies to take action in removing the oil slick.
Solar News Channel