The Times of India 13.08.2010
Keep Bombay Duck, prawns at bay: BMC
MUMBAI: The BMC-which is keeping a round-the-clock check on the seafood making its way to the city’s markets-on Thursday warned citizens against consuming Bombay Duck, mandeli (anchovies) and prawns. The three varieties of seafood are worst affected by the spill.
After the slick, the BMC had collected 500 kg of fish samples from Sassoon Dock, Sewri, Ferry Wharf, Bhaucha Dhakka, Crawford market and other parts of the city, all of which were found to be contaminated. An assessment of the samples found that fish that were light in weight and floating mostly on the surface were severely affected. “The oil floats on the surface and these three varieties are almost always present in that range. This is why in our analysis we found that these were three most affected species,” said a senior BMC official from the markets department.
Although there is no fishing activity during the monsoon, the BMC on Tuesday issued a circular to its markets department asking it to keep a check on the seafood coming there. The samples have been sent for testing at the laboratory in F/North ward. The report is likely to be submitted to the civic authorities within two days.
Though the state government has issued a ban on fishing, there is still no ban on fishing in the creeks, which are equally affected by the oil spill. A senior official of the state fisheries department said, “As the BMC has issued an advisory against eating seafood, we did not impose ban.”
Crabs found in creeks are some of the worst affected. The state FDA has also collected samples of fish and the results are awaited. The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has formed three teams and is scouring the coastline to assess the damage. “It may take three months to ascertain the extent of damage,” an NIO official said.
