The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Tuesday has recommended the retention of the fishing ban in the capital city and five towns of Oriental Mindoro three months since a massive oil spill devastated the coastal areas of the province. In a statement, the BFAR proposed keeping fishing moratoriums the city of Calapan and the towns of Naujan, Pola, Bansud, Gloria and Pinamalayan “due to the risk of contamination from traces of oil that have yet to be removed from the area,” caused by oil tanker MT Princess Empress that sank off Naujan on Feb. 28 while carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel. On the other hand, the waters in the towns of Bongabong, Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Baco, Puerto Galera and San Teodoro were already within acceptable standards for fishing activities.

Lagare, J. B. (2023, May 24). BFAR wants fishing ban retained in 6 spill-hit areas in Oriental Mindoro. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A8.