The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) of South Cotabato has recommended the suspension of fish cultivation following the reported massive fish kill in Lake Sebu.

Thousands of dead fish have been collected from some cages at the lake.

Experts said fish kill usually happens in the area yearly, especially during heavy rains.

"Kapag pangit kasi ang panahon kunyari umuulan, posible yung mga naipon na-accumulate na mga feeds, mga waste na nasa baba ng lake, mag-cause siya ng ammonia kasi pumupunta siya sa taas, yung toxic at posible na makain ng isda kaya nagkakaroon ng fish kill,” OPAg-South Cotabato Provincial Fishery Officer Shiny Rose Janiel said.

Based on OPAg’s data, there are around 5,000 fish cages and 700 operators in the area in 2023.

OPAg has recommended the suspension of fish cultivation as there is a high possibility that the incident may happen again.

“Supposedly, tumigil muna ng pag-culture ng isda diyan sa lake. Dapat stop muna kahit mga 2 years na para at least ma-break ang cycle,” Janiel added.