Kuban environmentalists doubt statements on harmlessness of Black Sea fish

The pollution with the spilled fuel oil (mazut) affects all marine life, but it is impossible to objectively define how poisoned the fish caught in the Black Sea is due to the absence of independent laboratories.

"In conditions where fuel oil has gotten into the water, one cannot limit oneself to internal authorities’ assessments. Without an independent examination, it’s incorrect to declare the fish safety," Valery Brinikh, an ecologist, has stated, stressing that the threat lies precisely in the absence of any alternative to state-owned or state-affiliated laboratories, where anyone could bring the fish and have it tested for the presence or absence of toxic substances hazardous to one’s health. The fish that reaches store shelves is not labelled as to where exactly it was caught; and sellers can’t explain the origin of their goods.

Tatiana Tribrat, Mr Brinikh’s colleague, has stated that she could not comment on “what we, environmentalists, don’t know – there are simply no independent laboratories in Kuban (Krasnodar Territory).”

“The next fish generation may not appear”

According to experts, the fuel oil has settled on the seabed, but as the temperature rises, it will liquefy, rise up and form a film on the water surface. This will lead to a decrease in oxygen content and the death of fish eggs at an early stage, including the bottom fish. “If the fuel oil remains in the water, the next generation of fish may not appear,” Ms Tribrat has noted.

According to Valery Brinikh, due to low salinity and a specific oxygen regime, the Black Sea biosphere is vulnerable to pollutions; and especially to pollutions by oil products – such incidents can disrupt the food chains of all sea inhabitants in the eco-disaster zone.

“Fish can live in such an environment and swim, but accumulate toxins that are dangerous to humans. When consuming such fish, a person can gradually become poisoned, by also accumulating destructive substances already in his/her body. According to Brinikh, both industrially caught fish and those caught by amateurs with a fishing rod can pose a threat.

Kuban residents doubt the fish safety

The residents of the Krasnodar Territory interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent said that they see Black Sea fish varieties on the shelves of markets and private stores throughout the Territory, from Sochi to Temryuk. The fish origin in retail outlets is not marked by geographic location, so it is impossible to understand how far from the affected area the fish was caught. Many people, for their own safety, prefer not to buy fish, not believing officials’ statements that it is safe.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 2, 2025 at 05:50 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.