Warning after explosion at sea

The National Main Stories

THE Milne Bay Provincial Disaster and Emergency Services has issued warnings to people on Rossel and Sudest Islands in the Yeleyamba local level government of Milne Bay not to fish and consume fish caught in the seas.
This follows the sighting of dead fish off the shores of both islands recently.
The warnings, which also advised the people not to go near any suspicious objects floating in the sea, follows an explosion of a suspicious device, believed to be a fishing device, dropped into the sea by a foreign fishing vessel near the eastern shore of Rossel Island.
Reports from the area said the explosion occurred on April 29.
The explosion caused damage to the surrounding mangrove growth, and panic among the villagers.
The incident has angered community leaders who have called for a thorough investigation.
Former Governor and Rossel Islander Titus Philemon expressed grave concern over the incident and criticized concerned authorities for pushing it aside as a minor issue.
“The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) have brushed it aside saying it’s not in their domain of responsibility to investigate and act on. They say its police matter,” said Philemon.
“The incident is serious and all concerned authorities must investigate and take action on the criminals who did this. The threat is so serious lives could have been lost.”
President of Yeleyamba LLG Bernard Jack echoed the concerns and further added the incident caused environmental pollution, including bleaching of mangrove roots at the site of the explosion and had created a hole in the sea-bed.
“Our initial investigations found there was certain damage and pollution caused to the area where the explosion occurred,” said Jack.
“The sighting of dead fish around Rossel Island and as far out as Sudest and Misima raises serious concerns that authorities must quickly investigate, and the perpetrators located and brought to face justice for breach of laws and endangering the lives of people.”
Their reports stated that a fishing devise which consisted of a 200-liter drum stuffed with animal carcass and fats covered in plastic bags, and a certain type of explosive, had floated up on the reefs outside Mbwalakwab village and the East Point Elementary school. During high tide the object floated further to the shore and upon contact with mangrove roots and growth, it had exploded.
The explosion was heard right across Rossel Island and also in far off Sudest Island, causing panic amongst the people.
The people have been warned to:

  •  AVOID any close physical contact with any floating foreign drums or containers to avoid any loss of lives;
  • Consumption of any marine products to cease immediately to avoid any fatal health issues related to contaminated marine products;
  • Cease any fishing and harvesting of marine resources pending the outcome of investigations;
  • Report to authorities any such sighting of suspicious activities or events to be investigated.
  • Provincial Environment and Climate Change adviser Misa Lionel said investigations were ongoing.