Temporary fishing ban around Philippines ferry
Updated
![The tip of the upturned hull of the sunken ferry protrudes from waters off Sibuyan island. [AFP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/phils_ferry_afp_250608.jpg "The tip of the upturned hull of the sunken ferry protrudes from waters off Sibuyan island. [AFP]")
The tip of the upturned hull of the sunken ferry protrudes from waters off Sibuyan island. [AFP]
Philippine health and fisheries authorities have imposed a temporary fishing ban in the waters surrounding a capsized passenger ship in the central part of the country.
Search and retrieval operations have been suspended until a cargo of toxic pesticides is removed from the ship, which sank durign a typhoon last month.
Our reporter in Manila, Shirley Escalante, says though water tests have turned out negative, water sampling in the area around Romblon province where the passenger ship capsized is continuing.
Health Secretary, Francisco Duque, says the temporary fishing ban in the area will remain until ten tonnes of poisonous pesticides are removed from the ship.
Search and retrieval operations have been suspended but a surface-search for bodies of the people on board the M V Princess of the Stars, and possibly survivors, continues.
The coast guard says almost 300 bodies have been recovered from the capsized vessel and surrounding waters while more than 80 survived and 512 remain missing.
