The Fijian government received oil spill response equipment Tuesday from the New Zealand government, in a bid to minimize the effects of oil spills on Fiji's marine environment.

The equipment, worth some 607,000 U.S. dollars, was part of the recommendation made by a team that carried out a marine pollution risk assessment for Fiji in February 2015, according to the Fijian government.

The team consisted of Fiji's Department of Environment, Maritime New Zealand, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program as well as the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji.

Lorna Eden, Fiji's assistant minister for local government, housing and environment thanked the New Zealand government for its continued support towards Fiji's maritime sector.

The establishment of oil spill response equipment in high risk areas together with the guidance of the National Strategy for Marine Spill Response for Fiji Waters will provide a platform and proactive approach that will allow Fiji to effectively respond to major spills in its waters, she said.
 

Source : XINHUA