Fishkill damage reaches P190 million

07 June 2011

The damage brought by massive fishkill incidents in Regions I and IV-A reached an estimated value of P190.710 million.

According to NDRRMC, 374 units of fish cages were affected in the province of Batangas, in which the government has placed an estimated value of P150 million-worth of damage.

News report says about 2,000 MT of fishes from towns of Mataas na Kahoy, Lipa, Talisay, Laurel, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Teresita, Alitagtag and Cuenca, all in Batangas were lost in the fishkill. The militant group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is now requesting the provincial government of Batangas for the immediate release of its P90 million calamity fund to help the affected small fisherfolk.
n an investigation conducted by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region IV (BFAR IV), results show that overturn complicated by presence of water pollutants was the cause of fish kill.

Meanwhile in Pangasinan, BFAR I said the cause of massive fishkill was the “abrupt change of water parameters” as a result of heavy downpour brought by “Chedeng.”

Report says that the Bangus raisers in Anda and Bolinao in Pangasinan were advised to shift to oyster and mussel culture for livelihood and food. According to Dr. Westly Rosario, Exec. Dir. of National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (as cited in Philippine Star), “Oysters and mussels can filter water of excessive microscopic plants” and growing them does not require much farming inputs.

The municipality of Anda in Pangasinan, and towns of Talisay, Laurel, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca and Alitagtag in Batangas were all placed under state of calamity.

Sources: NDRRMC, Inquirer, Philippine Star