Fish farms prepared to run tests to ease oil contamination fears
By Jessica Yeo & Ng Lian Cheong | Posted: 31 May 2010 2053 hrs
By Jessica Yeo & Ng Lian Cheong | Posted: 31 May 2010 2053 hrs
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SINGAPORE : Eight local fish farms said they are prepared to fork
out their own money to conduct tests on their products to prove that
their seafood is safe for consumption.
According to a researcher from the National University of Singapore, some locally-produced and locally-caught seafood may be affected due to the oil spill following the collision of two vessels last Tuesday.
Her advice is to eat less locally-produced seafood over the next two weeks.
"Within the two weeks of the spill, the contaminated seawater may still be pushed back to Singapore waters. Although they will be removed over time, there may still be residual oil. This may contaminate fishes from the kelongs or those caught by fishermen," said Dr Ng Ngan Kee, an instructor of Systematics & Ecology Laboratory at National University of Singapore.
Fish farmers disagree, and are willing to put their fish to the test.
"If there are such concerns, then we can send the fish for a third-party independent lab to do an autopsy and a full analysis to look for any chemical residue. For the consumers, they'll have a peace of mind when they eat the fish," said Lee Van Voon, chairman of the Singapore Marine Aquaculture Cooperative.
MediaCorp understands that fish farms have stopped feeding their fishes since the oil slick last Tuesday (25 May).
This prevents the fish from surfacing and consuming the oil stains.
Fish farmers said fishes can easily survive a week without food as they can survive on their own body fats.
According to a researcher from the National University of Singapore, some locally-produced and locally-caught seafood may be affected due to the oil spill following the collision of two vessels last Tuesday.
Her advice is to eat less locally-produced seafood over the next two weeks.
"Within the two weeks of the spill, the contaminated seawater may still be pushed back to Singapore waters. Although they will be removed over time, there may still be residual oil. This may contaminate fishes from the kelongs or those caught by fishermen," said Dr Ng Ngan Kee, an instructor of Systematics & Ecology Laboratory at National University of Singapore.
Fish farmers disagree, and are willing to put their fish to the test.
"If there are such concerns, then we can send the fish for a third-party independent lab to do an autopsy and a full analysis to look for any chemical residue. For the consumers, they'll have a peace of mind when they eat the fish," said Lee Van Voon, chairman of the Singapore Marine Aquaculture Cooperative.
MediaCorp understands that fish farms have stopped feeding their fishes since the oil slick last Tuesday (25 May).
This prevents the fish from surfacing and consuming the oil stains.
Fish farmers said fishes can easily survive a week without food as they can survive on their own body fats.
- CNA /ls
- wong chee tat :)
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