P29M lost to fish kill in Bulacan —BFAR

At least P29 million worth of bangus (milkfish) was lost to a fish kill that hit 130 hectares of fishpond areas in Obando town in Bulacan, fishery authorities said Friday.

In a statement, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 3 of the Department of Agriculture said the estimated loss was based on the results of actual damage assessment.

Some 250 metric tons of bangus in fish pens of 40 operators in seven barangays of the town died due to oxygen depletion.  

"The fish kill happened on May 6, 2018 noontime triggered  by unfavorable environmental factors particularly due to intense heat which registered at 34 °C which coincided with low tide level at 0.050 meters," the DA-BFAR said, citing investigations.

"Light rain showers, prolonged cloudy skies and thermal fluctuations in the water due to changing weather conditions have been found to be the causes of dissolved oxygen depletion which, in turn, caused the fish kill," it added.

Moreover, the BFAR said that the environmental factors were aggravated by the practice of overstocking fish pens, adding that the bureau only recommended a stocking rate of  3,000 fish per hectare.

"The local government unit in coordination with BFAR has initiated proper disposal of dead fish to ensure that these will not reach the market and cause any public health-related concerns," it said.

Price monitoring conducted by BFAR on May 8 showed the fish kill caused no significant impact in the prices of bangus, particularly in the fish landing areas and public markets in Bulacan.

"[The incident] is also unlikely to cause general surging of market price, especially in Metro Manila, as Obando is not the only source of farmed fish in these areas," it said.

"With the reported low supply however of bangus and tilapia in Obando market, the agency assures the public that it will be temporary and short-lived as the production of the local operators is expected to recover soon," it added.

The DA-BFAR said it is ready to give assistance to the affected operators.

The agency also advised fish farmers to closely monitor their fish stocks and always adhere to good aquaculture practices. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News