Quick action needs to be taken by concerned authorities on oil spills similar to what occurred at Fiji Ships and Heavy Industries Limited’s dock and repair berth, last Saturday.
Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau said the effect of the oil spills depended on the effect of damages.
A Chinese fishing vessel Shi Dao was caught pumping out oil into the sea at the FSHI dock last Saturday in Suva.
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“I have not received any reports on the oil spills that happened last Saturday at the Walu Bay dock and repair berth,” Minister Koroilavesau said.
“The immediate effects of toxic and smothering oil waste may be mass mortality and contamination of fish and other food species, but long-term ecological effects may be worse.
“Oil waste poisons the sensitive marine and coastal organic substrate, interrupting the food chain on which fish and sea creatures depend on, and on which their reproductive success is based, commercial fishing enterprises may be affected permanently.
“I have not received any reports on the expand of oil spills but I am sure relevant authorities are working together on the containment of oil.
“During a spill response, sensitive locations threatened by an advancing oil slick can be protected with various kinds of equipment and tactics- booms are floating, physical barriers to oil, made of plastic, metal, or other materials, which slow the spread of oil and keep it contained,” he said.
He said any oil spill from ships wil not be condoned and should be dealt with effectively by the relevant agency responsible.
