Fish cage operators at a barangay in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato have resorted to emergency harvest of Tilapia that survived a fish kill.

Almost 20 tons of Tilapia grown at cages at a lake in Barangays Poblacion and Bacdodong died after oxygen levels in the water went down due to possible contamination from floodwaters.

“Nagkaroon ng deterioration sa oxygen, nasira dahil sa bagyo. Yung environment natin, naapektuhan, kasi yung water source galing sa ulan contaminated,” said Jose Rudy Muyco, deputy fish warden of the Office of the Municipal Agriculture of Lake Sebu.

The trough from #KristinePH reportedly triggered floods from the mountain that flowed down to the lake.

Aside from contamination caused by the flood, authorities also said the number of fish cages at the lake, which has already occupied 70 hectares, may have also contributed to the oxygen level in the water decreasing.

Muyco said they are now looking at a possible remedy.

“Meron na kaming management plan na i-reject itong out 70 hectares… ang allowable lang is 35 hectares ng buong lawa ng reservoir ang malagyan ng fish cages,” he said.

As of this writing, authorities in the area are assessing the damage of the kill and are looking at ways to help the operators affected.