Camarines Sur – Around 80,000 kilograms of tilapia, valued at PHP3 million, were lost in a fish kill at Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur, following several days of heavy rainfall.
According to Philippines News Agency, an official from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in region 5 (Bicol).Rowena Briones, BFAR-5 spokesperson, explained that the fish kill was triggered by low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. She described the process whereby heavy rains and runoffs sink to the lake bottom, causing colder water to displace warmer water upward, affecting the oxygen levels. Fish cages in the villages of Iraya, Tambo, and Ipil in Buhi town were particularly impacted. A water quality test conducted by the Regional Fish Health Laboratory revealed that the lake's dissolved oxygen levels ranged from 2.01 to 4.55 parts per million (ppm), significantly lower than the normal level which should not be less than 5 ppm. Additionally, microbiological analysis of tilapia samples was performed to ensure their safety for human consumption. BFAR-5 has advised the public to check the freshness and cleanliness of tilapia before consumption and urged fish cage operators to conduct emergency harvests to salvage unaffected stocks. They also encouraged reporting of damages and losses to the Lake Development Office of Buhi for consolidation.