Traces of TNT in fish around war wrecks: “No immediate danger”

It concerns pouts around the shipwreck of the sunken warship John Mahn off the coast of Ostend.

Vlaams Belang member of parliament Frieda Verougstraete-Deschacht put a question about this to Flemish Minister of Innovation Jo Brouns (cd&v). She repeats the call of scientists for further research and follow-up. “This is about the health of our people,” said Verougstraete-Deschacht. “So it is very important to quickly provide clarity about the possible risks.”

“Traces of TNT in fillets”

Flemish Member of Parliament Frieda Verougstraete-Deschacht asked Minister Brouns a series of written questions about ship and aircraft wrecks off the Flemish coast. Research by Ghent University and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) shows that toxic substances remain present there for a very long time, says Frieda Verougstraete.

“The same goes for the wreck of the war boat John Mahn, sunk off the coast of Ostend during the Second World War. As part of the North Sea Wrecks project, it was shown that the pouts around the wreck contained traces of TNT in their fillets.”

“Not taking risks in terms of public health”

In his answer, the minister stated that it cannot yet be concluded that there is an (acute) danger to the food chain, and that the concentration of TNT is currently too low to cause toxicity in humans. The scientists have already indicated that there is a need for further research and follow-up.

Verougstraete-Deschacht also underlines the importance of this. “In terms of public health, we certainly can’t afford any risks or loose ends. That is why we also support the scientists’ call for further research. We are therefore pleased that the minister has listened to this.”