The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned that dead fish retrieved from ponds are unsafe for humans to eat. The agency issued the warning after reports that dead fish are still being sold by pond owners.

High fish mortalities or fish kill were recorded in Central Luzon and Isabela province in recent days due to low levels of dissolved oxygen caused by extreme heat due to El Nino.

According to BFAR, some 10,000 kilos of dead tilapia were removed from the Magat Dam in Isabela whose water level has been continually dropping in recent days.

PAGASA’s hydrometeorological division chief Susan Espinueva said the Magat Dam's water level drops at a daily average of 0.5 meters, a fall caused by the drought. Water irrigation reserves for the low-lying areas of the province, however, will only last until mid-March.

Private milkfish pond owners in Bulacan said they also lose at least five kilos of fish a day due to the drought, ABS-CBN reported.

BFAR earlier advised dam operators and pond owners to harvest fish earlier to prevent additional mortalities. Agency chief Malcolm Sarmiento said farmers have been asked to immediately bury the dead fish. The agency is also on alert over threats of red tide.

But the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the fish kills are isolated.