Ministry seeks information on oil spill pollutant
“The inspection team did not find evidence to suggest the pollutant was derived from a source in this coastal land area,” the statement said.
Friday 14 February 2025 | 08:09
A ‘fuel slick’ incident that occurred alongside the Salia Reef in Suva Harbour this week.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is seeking assistance from the public regarding a ‘fuel slick’ incident that occurred alongside the Salia Reef in Suva Harbour this week.
The ministry had immediately deployed an inspection team through the environment joint taskforce on Wednesday morning.
The taskforce comprised of inspectors from the Department of Environment, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) and Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL).
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A statement from the ministry yesterday said the land-based verification exercise was conducted along the Nasese foreshore from the Veiuto Roundabout to the China Club.
“The inspection team did not find evidence to suggest the pollutant was derived from a source in this coastal land area,” the statement said.
“The inshore verification exercise was guided by GIS location points provided by a member of the public.
“The team identified the pollutant as fuel spillage, potentially diesel.
“A strong smell of fuel was emanating from the surface of the water, however there was no longer visible aggregation of fuel on the surface in the area.
“At exactly 1.04km (S 18°09.968’ E178°24.959’) from Salia reef, an empty red 44-gallon fuel drum (branded Total) filled with sea water was identified.”
MSAF
MSAF confirmed that since diesel fuel was a light oil with weak intermolecular make-up, wave action, and natural evaporation would have taken place, reducing the visibility of the ‘oil slick’.
“From the inshore assessment, it can be concluded that the point source of the fuel slick was the red 44-gallon fuel drum found in the vicinity,” the ministry said.
“The inspection team speculated that the fuel drum may have fallen from a moving ship. Attempts made to confirm whether this was the case were unsuccessful.”
The Ministry of Environment has requested on any information on the source of the red 44-gallon fuel drum to contact the ministry on MECC waste pollution control unit: 9984145/ 3311699
Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj
