In Laguna, fish kill losses reach P1 million, but no dent in supply seen

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna, Philippines — The aquaculture industry in Laguna province lost P1 million to the recent fish kill in Sampaloc Lake in San Pablo City, but officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said this would not disrupt the supply of tilapia in the market.

Tilapia, which is primarily grown in Sampaloc Lake, is the most affected of the four fish species cultured or naturally found in the 100-hectare freshwater body.

Some 9.8 tons, or 9,800 kilograms of tilapia, cultured in fish cages and another 100 kg found in open water turned up dead last weekend, said Sammy Malvas, the BFAR director for Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon). Tilapia growers, he said, lost P885,000.

“I don’t think it would have a huge impact on the tilapia supply in the market. Production continues in other areas,” Malvas said in a text message on Tuesday. The BFAR and the Laguna Lake Development Authority said what happened was a natural lake overturn, when the top and bottom water of the lake switch, leading to a reduction in volume of dissolved oxygen needed by fish to survive.

Locally called “duong,” the phenomenon normally happens during the cold months.

—Maricar Cinco