Fishkills hit two Batangas towns

BATANGAS CITY — An estimated 25 tons of bangus floated dead in fishcages in the Batangas towns of Agoncillo and San Nicolas last Friday morning in what experts said were fishkills due to the "overturn" or "upswelling" of the water.

Evelyn Estigoy, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the two towns, which lie along Taal Lake, have been experiencing the phenomenon every year, particularly in the months of May, June and December.

The phenomenon, according to Estigoy, occurs when microorganisms at the bottom of the lake eat up the oxygen at the upper part or surface of the water, resulting in fishkills.

Estigoy said hydrogen sulfide or sulfur compounds from Taal Volcano could have contributed to the fishkills in 22 fishcages in Barangays Poblacion and Abesto in San Nicolas town and Pancite River in Agoncillo.

Estigoy fears that similar fishkills might affect other towns along Taal Lake. — Arnell Ozaeta