Effects
The spill has damaged Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, a marine sanctuary for feeding and breeding ground for fish and other species. The oil slick also posed a threat to the blue crab industry in the municipality of Enrique B. Magalona in Negros Occidental.
Dr. Jose Ingles, eco-region coordinator of the World Wide Fund for Nature in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, said that the damage may be felt by at least two generations. He warned that the disaster may have damaged the reefs and mangroves, scarring the ecosystem and causing seafood yields to significantly decrease. According to him, the worst hit would be the shorelines, the coasts and the swamplands with mangroves. This will greatly impact the livelihood of the fishermen, mostly living in poor conditions.
In the south-southeast of the spill site is located the Sulu Sea, a deep water area frequented by commercially valued fishes. The towns of southern Negros Occidental province prides themselves as the home of the Blue marlin and the Yellowfin tuna. This is an important source of income for the communities. When the slick is not effectively contained, this will surely damage this thriving local industry.
As of August 22, 2006, the Philippine Coast Guard says that the spill has affected 20 communities in 4 municipalities in Guimaras. It also threatens 27 communities in Iloilo province and 17 others in Negros Occidental.
Read more about this topic: Guimaras Oil Spill
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