Prices of fish in some markets up amid fishing ban in oil spill-affected areas

Transcript

00:00In the meantime, the oil slick that leaked from the sunken vessels off the coast of Bataan

00:04has adversely affected Bataan fisherfolk and their catch of the day, sending fish and seafood

00:10prices at public markets soaring to match the sky-high prices of veggies and produce

00:16as a result of flooded warehouses that led to tons of spoiled veggies.

00:20Meanwhile, there is an increased oversight or monitoring of fish quality by the BFAR

00:25for safety reasons even as it vowed to help fisherfolk and their loss of livelihood

00:30as a result of the oil spill, as our Clazel Pardilia reports.

00:44Prices in some local fish markets have increased.

00:48Ads a local consumer adjusted her purchases by buying less fish to stay within budget constraints.

00:55According to the Department of Agriculture's Price Monitoring,

00:59prices of milkfish and mackerel scads have surged in Metro Manila's major markets.

01:05A fish vendor from Litix Market said that the

01:08prices of almost all the varieties of fish he's selling have spiked.

01:26The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources attributes this spike to disruption in fish

01:34supply caused by fishing bans in areas affected by the oil spill.

01:40Earlier, the motor tanker Terra Nova sank in Bataan,

01:43causing an oil spill that has affected Bataan and various other areas.

01:49As a precautionary measure, a fishing ban has been imposed in Limay, Bataan.

01:54Additionally, Cavite has prohibited the harvesting of all types of shellfish,

01:59including mussels, clams, and mud crabs, due to contamination concerns.

02:05In Bulacan, areas affected by oil slicks are reporting a decrease in fish catches.

02:24BIFAR has cautioned consumers to avoid eating fish contaminated by oil slicks,

02:51citing potential health hazards and risks of food poisoning.

02:56BIFAR's advisory comes in the wake of findings from sensory evaluations conducted on fish

03:01samples from Navaleta and Rosario, Cavite. These samples were found to contain traces

03:06of petrochemicals, substances derived from oil that are known to pose serious health risks,

03:13including cancer. The traces were noticed before the presence of oil slicks or oil was detected

03:19in the area. According to BIFAR, it may have originated from the cleaning of ships or docks

03:25or unloading sites. Despite the seriousness of the issue, Amado said,

03:50The BIFAR has intensified its monitoring of fish quality across Region 3, Calabarzon,

04:14and Metro Manila. The agency's increased oversight aims to ensure that the fish supply remains safe

04:20for consumers. Furthermore, BIFAR has pledged to provide support packages to fisherfolk

04:26affected by the oil spill. These packages will include food supplies and fuel subsidies

04:32to help elevate economic strain on those whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the oil spill.

04:38Kalei zalpardilya for the new and better Philippines!