MANILA: More than 20,000kg of tilapia and bighead carp have died in another fish kill in Laguna de Bay, affecting more than 30 fish cages covering over 7 hectares in Jala-jala, Rizal.
Fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said Tuesday (Sept 1) that initial losses were estimated at P700,000, while local fishers and fish cage operators suspected chemical waste may have contributed to the “sudden and massive” fish kill.
Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya vice chairperson, said operators and fishers noticed that the lake’s water had turned rusty in colour before the fish began dying.
“Operators and fishers themselves said that the fish kill was unusual. Similar incidents have occurred in previous years, but what happened recently was more rapid and widespread,” Arambulo said.
“The affected fishers could not point to any other possible cause except the change in the colour of the lake’s water that they had observed,” he added.
Pamalakaya described Tuesday’s incident as the second fish kill in Laguna de Bay, saying a similar incident occurred in Binangonan, Rizal, in July.
“Last July, the same incident happened in Binangonan town following the release of wastewater by a water concessionaire,” Pamalakaya said.
During its initial investigation in July, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) said it was still too early to determine the exact cause of the fish kill.
The agency noted that Laguna de Bay was experiencing a widespread algal bloom and that most of the affected fish came from commercial fish pens and cages.
The latest incident also came days after the LLDA warned of a continued risk of algal blooms and possible fish kills in the lake.
On Aug 25, the agency said changes in weather and water conditions could trigger or intensify algal growth.
It also explained that when algae die and decompose, they can reduce oxygen levels in the water, potentially stressing or killing fish.
The LLDA also urged residents and local officials to report unusual water discolouration, heavy bubbling or foaming, and foul odours that could indicate water contamination.
The agency said such reports could help investigators trace pollutants to their source.
Pamalakaya called on the LLDA to investigate the latest incident, determine whether any companies discharged wastewater into the lake and hold those responsible accountable.
“Some companies must have discharged wastewater into the lake that caused the fish kill,” Arambulo said.
“We call on the concerned government agencies, especially the Laguna Lake Development Authority, to look into this matter, hold accountable the companies responsible, and compensate the affected fisherfolk and fish cage operators,” he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
