Fish kill in Taal Lake nothing to do with volcanic sulfur dioxide: BFAR

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region IV clarified that the sulfur dioxide released by Taal Volcano had nothing to do with the fish kill in Taal Lake.

“Wala po siyang link doon,” said BFAR IV Regional Director Sammy Malvas.

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In an interview with TeleRadyo Wednesday morning, Malvas said that low levels of dissolved oxygen and high concentrations of ammonia caused fish mortality.

“Ang ammonia result ng decomposition ng organic matter. Pwede rin po yung ibang nagde-decompose na organic matter sa lawa. Halimbawa po yun mga naggo-grow na algae tapos nagda-die off pag nag-decompose po yun nakaka-consume din po sila ng oxygen,” said Malvas.

Malvas, on the other hand, made sure that the fish caught alive in the lake are still safe to eat.

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“Yun pong nahuling buhay ay safe pong kainin. Pero, pag yung patay na halimbawa, kasama sa fish kill, ay hindi na po siya safe. Hindi na natin ina-advice na dalhin pa sa palengke o sa bahay para lutuin o iulam,” he said.

According to BFAR, 109 tons of tilapia and bangus died, worth P9 million.

Fish kill in Taal Lake nothing to do with volcanic sulfur dioxide: BFAR

“Pag nakikita natin sa analysis na medyo critical yung ibang parameters ay nag-aadvice tayo ng ganun sa mga operators, yung pwede nang iharvest, kung meron pong pagkakataon na iharvest, kasama po sa ating recommendation na kung pwede na nilang iharvest,” he said.

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He said they are ready to help those affected by the fish kill by giving fingerlings to the fish cage operators when they are ready to replenish the semen.

BFAR also continues to conduct regular monitoring and water sampling to monitor and immediately notify operators.

Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest) now prevails over Taal Volcano. At Alert Level 3, magma extruding from the Main Crater could drive explosive eruption.

At 5:18 AM today, a short-lived phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at Taal Volcano Main Crater and generated a grayish plume that rose 300 meters before drifting southeast.

All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time. Communities around the Taal Lakeshores are advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify.

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