Transcript
AISKE BATIASAGA: We are working with the communities, with our Fisheries Officers and the other government officers across that side because of the problem of that chemical spill. So we are advising our communities to be careful fishing across the area and eating fish from that side at this point in time. But I think if they are going to have ciguatera then it will take a few months forward, so you will still have to be careful for the next three to six months and over.
JENNY MEYER: Ok, so this is near Malau outside Labasa is that right?
AB: Yes
JM: Where abouts was the spill, I've heard that it was at a timber mill, is that right?
AB: Yes, they use that chemical for treating timber. That is a very toxic chemical. It will kill any plants and any fish that comes in contact with it in the water.
JM: So how's the clean up going? Have you tried to limit the impact of the spill?
AB: Yes, the Environment Ministry are working to try to quantify that spill so that we will be able to take precautionary measures as to what distance away from that actual spill within that facility in Malau.
JM: Is is something that people can see? Apparently there are reports of kind of a white colour where the spill has occured, is it pretty obvious?
AB: Yes, yes that is obvious. But when it gets into the water and gets diluted and gets carried by the waves and the current then you cannot really when it's diluted down. But on the ground yes it's very clear.
JM: Ok so can you just outline the actual geography of the area that you think has probably been impacted by this?
AB: I believe it depends on the current weather, it's been raining lately that's why it's going to be taken across much further area from where it was actually spilled because the water will carry it across a larger distance across. So that coastal zone from Malau. But perhaps largely to the southwest side because the southeasterly winds going in that direction.
JM: So quite a wide area on that coastal region around Labasa?
AB: Yes. I think it's good that we have to be proactive in telling the communities, to inform them of this spill, chemical spill, on this facility. Please watch out, keep away from the site and don't even go and fish or walk into the water close to that site. Because you can directly get problems, burnt from that chemical if you come into contact with it straight away.
