KARACHI, Aug 19: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, under Section- 144 of CrPC, has prohibited swimming and fishing within an area of five nautical miles of coast in the wake of oil spill from the grounded Tasman Spirit.

The order to this effect will come into force with immediate effect and will remain enforced for seven days, provided withdrawn or modified earlier.

It referred to the grounding of Tasman Spirit off Karachi coast on July 27 and the subsequent oil spill that polluted the sea waters in the coastal area.

The order said that there was sufficient evidence to assume that toxic effects of the oil spill from the ship had been absorbed in the marine life. The consumption of seafood obtained from the polluted coast and source or products made thereof could also cause health hazards to general public, the order stated.

In view of this, the Nazim has prohibited swimming and playing of sea water games; fishing or collection of marine species; manufacturing of chicken feed from sea life collected from the areas within five nautical miles of Karachi coast.—APP