P100M worth of bangus die in massive fishkill
Bolinao, Anda towns are worst affected
ANDA–Another fishkill again hit the province’s bangus industry resulting in P100 million in damages to fish pens and fish cages.
The prevailing erratic weather, changing from extremely high temperature to sudden rainfall as well as overstocking resulting in low dissolved oxygen levels are believed to have contributed to the disaster, Mayor Nestor Pulido told The PUNCH in a phone interview.
This is the first massive fishkill incident in this town, considered among the top bangus producers in Pangasinan.
The nearby town of Bolinao, also a top bangus producer, has also been affected.
Anda and Bolinao share common coastal boundaries along the Caquiputan Channel.
Pulido said the affected four barangays are Awag, Mal-ong, Dolaoan and Siapar.
There are about 250 fish pens and 250 fish cages along these coastal waters approved by the municipal government based on a study undertaken by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute in Bolinao.
Pulido said while he feels for the losses of the operators, he also blamed them for not heeding his advice to strictly observe regulations regarding fish pen and cage operations, particularly on feeding system and proper stocking.
He blamed some operators who resorted to “short-cuts” in their operations by overstocking for a quick return on their investments.
“To feed one fish cage measuring about 18 meters by 18 meters with 50,000 pieces of bangus can cost P1 million over a five- month period,” Pulido said.
Compounding the town’s situation, Pulido said, is how and where to dispose of the dead fish whose stench now contributes to the pollution in the area.
He said some operators just abandoned their dead produce leaving the clean-up process to the municipal government.
The local government has been scampering since Wednesday sourcing for trucks and bulldozers to haul the bangus and masks for his Bantay Dagat personnel for their protection.
He said their “pawis”, a local term used for big flat boats, used for transporting harvested bangus produce, are not enough for the clean-up efforts.–EVA
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
