XN000022-1974-03-27 — Page 35

Wednesday, March 27, 1974

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It was found that the type of oil involved in the spill was

particularly toxic to marine life. The common cause of fish death in

such spills, resulting from adherence of oil to the gill filaments, was

rarely the fatal factor associated with the Apleichau spill. This would

indicate that the fish were actually poisoned, either by ingestion or contact

with dissolved toxants.

"Dr. Tokuda's study produced considerable evidence of the damaging

effects of the oil on numerous marine species in the area," said the spokesman. "This was sufficient to indicate a serious upset in the ecological system. The plankton community was drastically affected, particularly in the early period. The absence of fish eggs and larva in the samples he obtained must also be attributed to pollutants.

There are therefore valid reasons to assume that propogation of some species, including important groups of commercial fish normally utilising this area for breeding and nursery grounds, will be reduced as a result of the

spill."

The spokesman said that follow-up surveys were still continuing in the aftermath of the oil spill. These included weekly hydrographical investigations in East Lauma Channel and Picnic Bay, to monitor the declining levels of pollution and obtain plankton samples.

Weekly trawling operations were also being conducted at either end of East Lanna Channel, to asses possible effects of pollution on the

distribution and behaviour of natural fish stock.

In addition, daily sample checks were taken of the cultured fish

stock to determine the degree of tainting and the speed of recovery, together with weekly checks of the invertebrate fauna to establish the time required

for recolonisation of selected habitats.

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