RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Fisheries are an important resource for communities neighboring Chevron operations in Cabinda, Angola. Threats to these resources can affect local food supplies and economic well-being. Real or perceived impacts from oil and gas operations can create tensions and damage reputation and harm existing relationships with important stakeholders. As a responsible operator, Chevron took concerns about October 2005 fish die-offs seriously, launching a pilot program to evaluate seafood safety and marine phenomena to address community concerns. The program's initial focus was fish tissue and water quality to identify existing contaminant levels in Cabinda Bay to guide future sampling. Later project phases include continued tissue monitoring and monitoring for hazardous algae blooms (HAB). As part of this program, Chevron also engaged local stakeholders in sampling and laboratory analyses with the intent to build partnerships, develop local capacity for environmental monitoring and assessment, and educate the local community about operations and threats to the marine environment.
Chevron engaged fishermen and government officials to better understand the fishery and local concerns. Fish were collected from markets and fishermen. Angolan Fisheries Institute scientists travelled to the U.S. to participate in forensic laboratory analysis of edible fish tissue for trace metals and organics.
Following two sets of sampling and lab analyses, results demonstrated that contaminant levels in fish tissue in Cabinda compare favorably with fish tissue data from around the world. Cabinda Bay fish were within U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety limits for commercially sold fish. Future ongoing tissue sampling and analysis is planned. In addition, because tissue contaminant levels are low, Chevron is examining other stressors in the marine environmenment. For example, HAB monitoring to assess biotoxins presence and effects in the marine environment is also is being developed. This project highlights successful partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building for environmental monitoring in Angola.
Introduction
Fishing in waters in the vicinity of Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited (CABGOC) operations in Cabinda, Angola, is an important commercial and subsistence resource. Hazardous algae blooms have not been extensively studied in Angola or Cabinda province, but these phenomena are known to be significant threat to marine life, fishery resources and human health in southwest Africa [1].