Fish kill monitored in Cavite 

MANILA, Philippines — A fish kill, which affected seven tons of tilapia, has been monitored in Cañacao Bay in Cavite City.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) chief information officer Nazario Briguera said an analysis is ongoing.

“Based on initial reports, the primary reason for the fish kill was the drop in dissolved oxygen level... There was a significant decrease in dissolved oxygen level in the area and high ammonia nitrogen,” Briguera said.

He said the drop in dissolved oxygen was due to high water pollution and sudden change in temperature.

Briguera said BFAR has yet to establish if the fish kill was connected with a reclamation project in the province as claimed by fishermen’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas.

“I don’t have evidence that will directly connect it (to the reclamation project). The general possibility is water pollution in the area,” he said.

Briguera gave assurance that BFAR is coordinating with the Cavite city government to ensure proper disposal of the dead fish.

He advised the public not to eat fish harvested from the area.

Residents have complained of a foul smell in the area since Sunday night. Thirty-one families were forced to transfer to an evacuation center due to the stench.