Gulf of Paria fish deemed safe to eat

The tests were initiated by the Ministry of Planning and Development after the two episodes of mass fish mortality in early February and late July to early August 2016 in the Gulf of Paria. In a release, the Ministry said tests were carried out for the presence of heavy metals, carcinogens, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and concentrations of the dispersant component DOSS (used to determine the presence of oil dispersant COREXIT 95).

Two US-based laboratories were contracted through the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to conduct the testing – the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), which is a branch of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US Department of Commerce and Eurofins Frontier Global Sciences.

On September 30, fish and shrimp samples were taken from seven landing sites – Orange Valley, Claxton Bay, King’s Wharf, Carenage, Cedros, La Brea and Icacos and shipped to the relevant labs.

The final results were received on January 10, 2017. The fish species sampled were red fish, carite, cro cro, salmon, catfish along with white/ cork shrimp.

In terms of heavy metals, the samples were tested for Methyl Mercury; Mercury; Chromium; Nickel; Copper; Zinc; Inorganic Arsenic; Total Arsenic; Cadmium; Lead; Vanadium. The tests deemed the fish and shrimp sampled safe for human consumption.

In terms of the tests conducted for the presence of carcinogens, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and concentrations of the dispersant component DOSS, the results indicated that the concentrations of carcinogens in the fish and shrimp samples were below the limits of quantification or when detected, were found at low levels and concentrations of DOSS were lower than the level of concern (LOC) established by the US Food and Drug Administration for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response in the Gulf of Mexico.

Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson- Regis has said that the ministry, the Ministry of Energy and the EMA will be intensifying collaborative efforts with Petrotrin to determine the root cause of oil spill events and to develop a comprehensive plan for monitoring, evaluation and remediation