07/06/2024
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There is no βfish killβ in Anda, Pangasinan. This is the official statement of the Local Government Unit of Anda in Pangasinan through its Municipal Agriculturist Elizabeth T. Tomas on June 7, 2024. Speaking with media people from The Manila Times, GMA RTV Dagupan, Sunday Punch, Aksyon Radio Pangasinan, Radyo Pilipinas and the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office I and BFAR Regional Office I, MA Tomas clarified that what they experienced was βπ’π¬π¨π₯ππππ ππ’π¬π‘ π¦π¨π«πππ₯π’ππ’ππ¬β due to water stratification caused by sudden and heavy downpour last June 3 until the morning of June 4, contrary to several posts in social media that the town is affected by βfish killβ. Prior to this, the area also experienced neap tides in June 2 and 3. The operators observed their stocks gasping for air showing signs of stress from the sudden temperature change on June 4. Realizing the potential effects of the situation they were advised to harvest their affected stocks as a precautionary measure and to prevent heavy losses. This resulted into the preemptive harvesting of stocks at various stages of culture from 125 fish cage units at the same time on June 4 and 5, thus affecting supply and prices of milkfish in the locality.
Accordingly, the operators were still able to harvest their stocks and dispose them at the prevailing farm gate prices β P70.00/kg for 4-5pieces/kg and P80-100/kg for bigger sizes. The LGU cannot yet provide the volume and value of damages from this incident as they are currently focusing on assisting the operators in harvesting and disposing their affected stocks, as well as assuaging fears from other operators brought by the negative media posts by individuals and private groups. The circulating prices of P20.00-P30.00/kg were those disposed by the operators as leftovers (simot) wherein a boatload (small fishing boat with 3-5 persons gathering/collecting) of milkfish of approximately 75kg and gathered by private individuals seeking to gain from the incident. As of today, MA Tomas also stated that farm gate prices are back to normal. She also stressed that the harvested and disposed milkfish stocks were still alive and not dead as are alleged in some social media posts, and are safe for human consumption. Proper postharvest handling of milkfish is also strictly observed, and these are monitored and inspected in their landing sites prior to distribution and transport to markets. She appealed to the media for the responsible release and dissemination of accurate news as they also affect the livelihood of the aquaculture operators who are big contributors to the local and national aquaculture industry and partners of LGUs in food security.
This isolated fish mortalities is attributable to the effects of climate change β prevailing hot weather and sudden heavy rainfall affecting thermal stratification and influencing supply of dissolved oxygen available for fish stocks in an affected area. On the other hand, fish kill is attributed to massive fish mortalities due to unfavorable water quality parameters caused by unsustainable culture practices, which is not the situation in the Anda incident. LGU Anda has shifted from pen-based fish culture to floating cage culture since 2019, complying with the BFARβs recommendation through a Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) resolution to ensure sustainable aquaculture operations. MA Tomas asserted that had they not done this, the situation of their production areas could have been worse. Speaking for BFAR when asked as to assistance it provides, Atty. Girly Dela PeΓ±a, Chief of RFTFCD, stated that the agency continues to regularly monitor water quality parameters in all major aquaculture production areas of the region in coordination with Local Government Units to ensure timely warning and provision of guidance when warranted, and that the media can contact the BFAR anytime to clarify similar matters in the future. She also clarified that there is no fish kill in Pangasinan as of this time.
