BFAR says ‘very low level of dissolved oxygen’ killed fish at Manila Bay

Contributed photo by Ghine Nequia

MANILA, Philippines —  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Thursday said the 10 kilograms of fishes found floating in Manila Bay near Baseco, Tondo died due to very low levels of dissolved oxygen.

In a statement, the team of Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Central Office and National Capital Region said it conducted a probe on the collected water samples at Baseco on September 16, Wednesday after receiving a report about dead fishes floating at the area.

Based on the collected samples from Baseco, BFAR said it indicated a low level of dissolved oxygen at 0.11 milligram per liter (mg/L). BFAR said the sufficient level for marine waters is at 5 mg/L.

“Based on the report, at 5:00 in the morning on September 15, 2020, residents found fishes such as biya, kanduli, asohos, and tilapia gasping for air following a heavy rainfall, which lasted almost a day,” read the statement.

“The result of the water quality testing in the Baseco Area indicated a very low level of dissolved oxygen (DO) at 0.11 mg/L. The acceptable level for marine waters is 5 mg/L,” it added.

BFAR has recommended proper disposal of the dead fishes as well as “cleaning of the affected area to improve water quality.” BFAR added that, currently, there are no more reported fishkills in Manila Bay.

Earlier, a netizen shared photos of the Manila Bay’s waters were gradient brown to light brown. The photos showed several dead fishes in the bay as well.

In a separate statement, the Baseco Seaside Neighborhood Association (BASA) feared that the artificial white sand could have caused the fishkill in Manila Bay.

Manila Public Information Office (PIO), meanwhile, said they already referred the matter to BFAR for “investigation and appropriate action.”

In addition, BFAR discouraged consumption of the fish mortalities to prevent risk to public health.

“While consuming fish which have died due to dissolved oxygen depletion is not entirely harmful, the Bureau still cautions the public against consumption of dead fish and other species from the area to prevent possible harm to human health, especially if these fishes have already shown signs of decomposition like bloatedness, disintegration of parts, and foul smell among others,” it said.