The Environment Authority continues to carry out monitoring, follow-up and response operations regarding the oil pollution. The latest field results indicate that the extent of shorelines affected by pollution in the Ras Madrakah area is approximately 12 km, with response operations currently under way on site, while no significant traces of pollution have been observed at other locations.
Monitoring results to date confirm that no impacts resulting from the oil pollution have reached the shores of Masirah Island, the southern part of which falls within the zone of potential influence.
With regard to the oil slick at sea, monitoring data and updated models indicate that it continues to move along its observed trajectory in the open sea, in a south-easterly direction from the Wilayat of Masirah towards the high seas, with ongoing tracking of its movement in accordance with marine and meteorological variables.
The Environment Authority, in coordination with the relevant entities, continues to carry out monitoring, field response and assessment of developments, and is taking the necessary measures to mitigate environmental impacts and protect the marine and coastal environment.
As part of the efforts made by the basic services sector, Dr Mansour bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) and Head of the Basic Services Sector, made a field visit to the Wilayat of Masirah in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate and the Wilayat of Al Duqm in Al Wusta Governorate, on Saturday.
During the visit, the head of the basic services sector inspected and followed up on measures taken by the water sector and the waste management sub-sector of the basic services sector.
Al Hinai held a number of meetings and reviewed the precautionary measures taken to ensure the continuity of various basic services according to the requirements of the situation.
Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing follow-up on developments related to oil pollution in the marine environment, the Food Safety and Quality Centre continues to carry out monitoring, investigation and field inspection activities to assess the extent to which fishing grounds may be affected and to verify the safety of fishery products.
The centre is intensifying its precautionary measures, which have included monitoring fish landing sites, processing plants and fish markets; tracking landing movements and the sources of catches; collecting samples and subjecting them to laboratory testing; as well as forming technical teams to monitor shorelines and landing sites in the governorates along the Arabian Sea. — ONA
