More than 200 metric tons of tilapia die in Lake Sebu, Cotabato

Tons of tilapia died in Lake Sebu in Cotabato this month, according to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

A total of 211 metric tons of tilapia were affected by the fish kill which started in December 2020 and became worse this January, the report said, which was based on a Stand For Truth report by Lilian Tiburcio.

The damage has reached P21 million.

A total of 360 tilapia owners saw their fish die, in what they called "kamahong".

More than 1,500 fish cages were affected in the fish kill from January 8 to 22.

Fish cage operators lamented the incident. Some of them did early harvest in December to save what they could.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said the level of dissolved oxygen decreased in the lake due to climate change, causing the fish kill.

Tilapia owners tried to save the tilapia deemed still safe for eating.

In 2017, a massive fish kill also occurred in Lake Sebu. The damage reached more than P120 million, prompting the local government unit to declare a state of calamity.

The LGU recommended a moratorium in fish cages for two to five years.

"Mayroon tayong moratorium that states that lahat ng tilapia owners, fish cage operators hindi puwede makalagay ng fingerlings sa area nila to give chance to the lake na ma-rehabilitate muna natin," Lake Sebu Mayor Floro Gandam said.

"That is for five years. But because of that, meron tayong operators that really violates. 'Yung iba, nahuli sila. They put some fingerlings nighttime," he added.

Gandam said out of the 345 hectares of Lake Sebu, only 10% should be used for fish cage operations based on the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

To date, 15% of the lake is being used for fish cages.

Gandam said the LGU will give fish cage operators one month to harvest their tilapia then remove the excess fish cages.

"We give them chance na one month, kailangan i-harvest mo na 'yang tilapia na nasa loob and then tanggalin naman natin 'yung area na sumusobra doon sa allowed fish cage operation," he said.

The LGU has promised to give financial assistance to those fish cage operators affected by the fish kill.

Residents concerned about the fish kill have started the "Save Lake Sebu" advocacy.

A cleanup drive has been scheduled in the area. —KG, GMA News