The fuel spill on Wednesday was likely caused by a red 44-gallon fuel drum branded ‘Total,’ which was found filled with seawater near Salia Reef. It is possible that this drum fell from a moving vessel, though this has not yet been confirmed.
This was confirmed to fijivillage News by the Permanent Secretary for Environment, Dr. Sivendra Michael, after we reached out regarding concerns raised by Suva Stand-up Paddlers representative and General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches, Reverend James Bhagwan, who posted a video highlighting the spill and calling for urgent action to protect the ocean.
Reverend Bhagwan described paddling through the fuel early Wednesday morning and even spotting a young turtle in the affected area.
Dr. Michael says after being alerted through social media on Wednesday, an inspection team was deployed at 8.30am.
He says the joint task force, which included inspectors from the Department of Environment, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and Fiji Ports Limited, conducted both land-based and inshore assessments.
The Permanent Secretary says the land-based verification was carried out along the Nasese foreshore, from the Veiuto Roundabout to the China Club, but, no evidence suggested the pollutant came from this coastal land area.
He says although the fuel had dissipated due to wave action and evaporation, a strong smell remained.
He adds that the task force was equipped with a specialized biodegradable chemical (sea cleaner) to neutralize the impact of the fuel spill, but this treatment was not applied because the fuel had already dissipated.
He says the Ministry is now requesting public assistance in identifying the source of the fuel drum and is considering increasing harbor patrols to prevent similar incidents.
Anyone with information or who witnesses pollution is urged to contact the Ministry’s Waste Pollution Control Unit at 9984145/3311699.
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