The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is calling on the public to assist in investigating a fuel slick incident that surfaced near Salia Reef in Suva Harbour earlier this week. An inspection team, part of a joint task force involving inspectors from the Department of Environment, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), and Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL), was promptly dispatched on Wednesday morning.
As reported by the ministry, a thorough land-based verification exercise was conducted alongside the Nasese foreshore stretching from the Veiuto Roundabout to the China Club. The initial assessments did not reveal any evidence indicating that the pollutant had originated from this coastal land area.
The task force utilized GIS location points provided by a local resident to guide their investigation. They identified the pollutant as likely being diesel fuel, noticing a strong odor while observing that there was no visible aggregation of fuel on the water’s surface. However, approximately 1.04 kilometers from Salia Reef, an empty red 44-gallon fuel drum branded with the Total logo was found containing seawater.
According to MSAF, diesel fuel’s characteristics, being a light oil with weak intermolecular bonds, allow for significant natural evaporation and dispersion due to wave action, which would explain the reduced visibility of the slick. The ministry concluded that the fuel drum identified near the investigation site is likely the source of the fuel slick, speculating it may have fallen from a passing vessel. Efforts to confirm this theory were not successful.
In a bid to resolve the situation, the Ministry of Environment is encouraging anyone with information regarding the origin of the red fuel drum to reach out to their waste pollution control unit at the contact numbers provided.
This incident underscores the importance of community engagement in environmental protection efforts. The collaboration between the public and authorities can significantly aid in tackling pollution issues while ensuring the preservation of marine ecosystems.
Summary: The Ministry of Environment is investigating a fuel slick incident near Salia Reef in Suva Harbour. An inspection team identified a red 44-gallon fuel drum as the potential source of the diesel contamination. The ministry urges public assistance in identifying the drum’s origin to help address the environmental impact.
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