contamination of sorsogon fish never existed.

UP tests show no mercury in Sorsogon fish

First posted 01:59am (Mla time) Mar 12, 2006
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the March 12, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LEGAZPI CITY—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) district office here to investigate the cause of the fish scare that gripped the towns of Prieto Diaz, Gubat and Bacon district in Sorsogon.

The request was made following findings that fish in these towns were safe from mercury, contrary to earlier reports that they had been contaminated with mercury.

Tests made by the University of the Philippines-Natural Sciences Research Institute (UP-NSRI), dated March 1, show that water and fish from around Rapu-Rapu Island and Sorsogon are safe for human consumption.

The UP study reinforces the five previous studies of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that the mercury contamination of Sorsogon fish and waters near Rapu-Rapu as alleged by antimining groups never existed. The allegation scared people from buying fish, resulting in a drastic drop in the income of 5,000 Sorsogon fishermen.



provincial board said someone should answer for the fish scare, especially since it was found that it was not caused by contamination from the Rapu-Rapu operations of the Lafayette Mining Inc. (LMI).

In a resolution authored by Vice Gov. James Calisin, the board said the second laboratory tests showed a high mercury content in the waters of Sorsogon, which triggered the “fish scare” that fish and marine products were not fit for human consumption.

“We need to know who brought the samples (that showed high mercury levels),” Calisin said.

The fish and water samples that were found with high mercury content were reportedly not obtained by BFAR personnel but brought by the local government of Prieto Diaz to the BFAR regional office for the laboratory examinations.

“This drew doubts and suspicion that the fish samples that were brought had been contaminated with mercury,” Calisin said.

BFAR’s succeeding tests revealed that fish and other aquatic products in the area were safe for human consumption.

In a phone interview, Sorsogon Vice Gov. Antonio Escudero, who is likely to be subjected to the investigation, said he was ready to face and answer the charges being made by the board. Edgar Alejo, PDI Southern Luzon Bureau