Muscat: As various sectors of the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) continued their efforts to address the effects of the oil pollution resulting from the grounded vessel incident off the Hallaniyat Islands, citizens and residents has been urged to report oily patches on the sea surface, unusual petroleum or chemical odors. abnormal change in watercolor or condition, presence of foreign substances on the sea surface, dead or abnormal changes in marine life while fishing.
Fishermen have been told to exercise caution and avoid fishing in the affected areas, report the pollution to the relevant authorities and follow their instructions and do not catch or collect marine life from the suspected affected area.
The Food Safety and Quality Center (FSQC) has said that it is monitoring, investigation, and field control operations to assess the extent of impact on fishing areas and verify the safety of fish products.
FSQC confirmed the safety and quality of the fish samples that have completed their testing and met the approved safety requirements, while some samples are still undergoing completion of laboratory tests.
FSQC is intensifying its precautionary measures, which include monitoring fish landing sites, factories, and fish markets; monitoring landing operations and catch sources; taking samples and subjecting them to laboratory tests; in addition to forming technical teams to monitor the coasts and landing sites in the governorates located on the Arabian Sea.
NCEM's Hazardous Materials Sector of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) and the Environment Authority (EA), intensified its efforts to mitigate the effects of the oil pollution in the Ras Madrakah area
The Monitoring and follow-up operations are ongoing on Masirah Island, along with efforts to enhance preparedness, as part of precautionary and proactive measures to address any potential developments related to the oil pollution. Monitoring results confirm that the pollution has not yet reached the island's shores.
To enhance field preparedness, dedicated mechanisms and equipment for response operations have been provided, in coordination and cooperation with relevant authorities, to expedite the handling of any potential developments.
Specialized teams continue monitoring the island's coastlines, tracking pollution movement and updating its projected paths based on available data and models, while continuing to implement necessary preventative measures to protect the marine and coastal environment of Masirah Island.
Regarding developments in the essential services sector, specifically waste management, Be'ah is implementing several procedures to manage waste generated from beach clean-up operations.
Designated sites have been identified at the engineered landfill in Duqm to receive waste generated from beach clean-up activities, in coordination with the company's Industrial Hazardous Waste Department and the Environment Authority.
A designated site has also been identified at the waste transfer point on Masirah Island to receive this waste, which will later be assessed by the relevant department, and appropriate disposal procedures will be implemented.
Work is currently underway to secure the necessary resources. The essential services sector (Water) has enhanced its preparedness to address any potential impacts related to the grounded vessel incident off the Hallaniyat Islands, while continuing to monitor and coordinate with the Hazardous Materials Sector.
In Ras Madrakah and Duqm, the necessary tests are being conducted daily, and all results have shown the safety of the samples and their compliance with approved specifications. Field response teams remain on site, fully prepared to respond to any emergency, with contingency plans in place should any impact occur. In Masirah, the sector continues to enhance its readiness to address any potential impacts by implementing several measures, including preparing coastal wells for use as an alternative water source should the desalination plant's seawater intake be affected.
Major General Sulaiman bin Ali Al-Hussaini, chairman of CDAA and Head of the Hazardous Materials Sector at NCEM and Dr. Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, chairman of EA conducted a field visit today to the beaches affected by the oil spill in the Ras Madrakah area of Duqm to monitor the progress of operations to address the effects of the oil spill, assess the latest developments on the ground, and review the efforts and procedures undertaken to mitigate the impacts of the pollution, ensuring a rapid response and coordination among the relevant authorities.
