The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has confirmed that local fish remain safe for consumption, with a ‘low risk’ of the recent oil spill spreading to fish farms. To date, none of the country’s fish farms in the Johor Straits have been affected by the spill, ensuring continued safety and quality of local seafood.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced on Sunday (Jun 16) that there is “low risk” of the recent oil spill spreading to local fish farms in the Johor Strait. The oil spill incident occurred when the dredger Vox Maxima collided with the stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal around 2.20pm on Friday, causing oil to leak from a damaged cargo tank into the water.
In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) reassured the public that local fish “remain safe for consumption.”
The SFA stated, “As agencies work hard to clean up the oil spill, we would like to assure the public that there is low risk of the oil spill spreading to the Johor Straits, where our local fish farms are located.”
The oil spill has affected several coastlines, leading to the closure of beaches at St John’s, Lazarus, and Kusu islands, as well as areas B to H of East Coast Park, and the jetty and rocky shore of Labrador Nature Reserve. Although Sentosa’s beaches remain open, sea activities and swimming are still prohibited at Tanjong, Palawan, and Siloso beaches.
The SFA confirmed that none of Singapore’s fish farms have been impacted by the oil spill to date. “We are in close contact with our farms and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the agency added.
Impact on Marine Life from Recent Oil Spill
The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has announced efforts to clean up beaches and minimize the impact on local waters and wildlife following the recent oil spill.
Local conservation group Marine Stewards reported that the primary impact on marine wildlife appears to be around the Southern Islands. However, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Marine Stewards founder Sue Ye shared that a kingfisher was rescued from Marina at Keppel Bay, while another was seen covered in oil at Lazarus Island. Photos have also emerged of dead fish and oil-covered otters.
The non-governmental organization is coordinating rescue and rehabilitation efforts with Friends of Marine Park and is supported by ACRES. Ye emphasized that the full impact on different animals remains unknown and expressed concerns about the long-term effects and potential additional chemicals used in the cleanup process.
Authorities have stated that the oil spill from the vessel has been contained, with no further leaks since Friday evening. Approximately 1,500 meters of containment booms have been deployed at various locations, including Sentosa’s beaches, Keppel Marina entrance, Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park, and West Coast Park. An additional 1,600 meters of booms will be laid over the coming days to prevent further oil spread.
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) is collaborating with British Marine, the insurer of the stationary tanker, to establish a contact for third-party claims by affected parties.
For more detailed information and updates on the situation, stay tuned to the Singapore Food Agency and local conservation groups’ reports.
