Massive fishkill hits Philippine province

Talisay, Batangas, Philippines (AHN) – A fishkill hit Taal Lake in the province of Batangas over the weekend. The incident resulted in the death of about 752.6 metric tons (MT) of fish valued at $1.3 million (PHP 57.226 million).

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources attributed the die-off to the oxygen level of the water being lowered by the beginning of the rainy season. It is the worst climate change disaster to ever hit Batangas.

Affected by the fishkill were 425 MT of milkfish, 160 MT of St. Peter’s fish and 1.6 MT of milkfish fingerings in the town of Laurel, another 160 MT of St. Peter’s fish in Agoncillo and 12 MT of milkfish in San Nicolas.

The BFAR got reports about the decreased oxygen level at Taal Lake on Thursday. By Friday, the cultured fish started to die. The agency reported that schools of fish were seen swimming in circles before they floated dead to the surface in large numbers,

Crabs and biya – which thrives only in the lake – also died.

Talisay Mayor Zenaida Mendoza said the estimate of damage could still go up because owners of fish cages are still computing their total loss. Fishermen immediately buried the dead fish.

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