KARACHI, Sept 22: In the aftermath of about 30,000 tons of oil spill from Tasman Spirit, 600 tons of marine life in a radius of more than 35 square kilometres may have perished and an amount of about US$8.5 million would be required to rehabilitate fisheries sector which has suffered losses.

According to a report, presented by the Sindh Fisheries Department, on the assessment of impact of the oil spill, crude oil has serious direct and indirect adverse effects on marine life and its long term implications on fish includes chronic toxicity and effects on behaviours, growth, reproduction, colonization and species distribution.

The department has strongly recommended rehabilitation and conservation of fisheries resources in the affected area estimating that the process might take about one year in diluting the effects.

According to the break up of the estimated cost of rehabilitation, as contained in the report, $1 million would be needed for the rehabilitation of fishermen, $5 million for the restoration of ecosystem and $2.5 million for the machinery and equipment, survey, etc.

The report refers to a 1977 study by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) which highlights consequences, through food consumption, of oil-intake by sea-food.

The primary productivity of microorganisms, including plants and animals, has seriously been disturbed due to oil slick and it will take years to recover, the report established.

It indicated that the estimate of 600 tons of fish and animal stocks was based on the dead creatures that washed ashore following the spillage. This, it said, reflects to the serious bio-degradation imbalance in natural cycle.

According to Dr Khalid M. Khan of the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, the hydero-carbon compounds spread by the crude oil are carcinogenic that causes cancer, but studies are needed to assess the extent of damage to fish and other marine life.

However, no study regarding the effect of oil on the body tissue of fish has been conducted by the department because it doesn’t have the required equipment.

The report has made mention of the plight of 308 families of fishermen who have been deprived of their livelihood due to oil spill and appeared to be directly affected people. It has recommended a suitable compensation for the loss. Most of these affected fishermen reside in Gizri Village.

The fisheries department has already prohibited/restricted fishing in the slick-hit area of about 4x13.5 nautical miles as precautionary measure to avoid sale and consumption of contaminated fish.—PPI