BATANGAS, Philippines - Fishermen in Batangas province have lost millions of pesos following a massive fishkill in the waters of Taal Lake.
In Talisay alone, the town's agriculture office said around P33 million worth of fish have died.
This equates to around 355 tons of fish, or food for around 335,000 families.
"Dami na, mga tatlong daang sako na mahigit," said a fishpen worker Ariel Tabagan.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said the fish died due to oxygen depletion.
The fishkill has forced some residents to harvest the surviving fish even if the fish are small.
"Kaysa sa ha-harvest ka ng hibay, na lalong mas bagsak ang presyo. Walang pakinabang, tapon pa ang iba," said bangus fishpen owner Roger Maala.
Some fishpens that had tilapia were not affected.
In Batangas' public markets, meanwhile, the price of fish remained steady despite the Taal fishkill.
Large bangus sell for P110 per piece in the province, while small bangus go for P40.
Vendors said consumers should not worry about the quality of the fish they sell.
"Hindi po iyan apektado yang paninda dito. Yun lang pong nagpi-fishkill dun lang po sa barrio ng Sampoc, Leviste, papuntang Laurel po," said fish vendor Melanie de Ocampo.
Talisay Mayor Zenaida Mendoza is now calling on the national government to help them dispose of the dead fish. - Report from Jorge Cariño,
