Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Friday recommended reducing the area covered by the fishing ban in Oriental Mindoro after the oil spill cleanup was completed on June 16.
DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines member Hernando Bacosa, who was tapped by the Philippine Coast Guard as the lead expert on the oil spill investigation, said the radius of the fishing ban area can be reduced to 5 kilometers from 15 kilometers.
\”Dr. Bacosa advised that should there be no more visible oil slicks near the spill site, total fish ban in all areas in Oriental Mindoro initially affected by the spill can be lifted within the next two or three weeks,\” the DOST said in a statement.
The fishing ban is ongoing in Naujan, Pola, and Pinamalayan.
The MT Princess Empress was carrying 900,000 liters of oil when it sank off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28.
The oil spill reached various parts of Oriental Mindoro as well as other provinces including Batangas and Palawan.
The DOST said over 84,000 liters of oily mixture were recovered from the vessel’s containers from June 11 to June 15.
\”The final leg of siphoning showed very minimal visible oil discharge and tanks already appeared to be empty,\” the DOST said.
According to Bacosa, \”the remaining oil can only be removed by the natural weathering processes which include but are not limited to dissolution, emulsion, agitation due to the action of swimming organisms, and biodegradation by naturally occurring bacteria.\”
However, the agency noted that the degradation process of the oil may take a while due to the low temperature in the deep sea and heavy molecular weight of the oil.
