Fish kill damage reaches P44M in Pangasinan

Sunday, June 5, 2011

LINGAYEN – The Provincial Agriculture Office here said at least P44.7 million have been lost due to the recent fish kill in the province of Pangasinan.

Provincial Agriculture Officer Dalisay Moya said the figures translate to 496 metric tons of dead bangus recorded as of June 2.

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Moya said 20 operators are affected at barangays Mal-ong, Awag, Siapar and Narra in Anda town (a total of 33 fish pens and three fish cages); and 19 operators are affected at barangays Culang (12 operators with a total of 23 fish cages) and Catubig (seven operators with a total of 48 fish cages), both in Bolinao town.

Moya said the fish kill did not occur in other fish kill prone areas due to the massive river cleanup already conducted by the Provincial Government in central Pangasinan.

Governor Amado Espino, Jr. created and launched Task Force Kalikasan last year. It conducted a massive dismantling of illegal fish structures and dredging operations to enable rivers and other bodies of water "breathe again."

Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim also implemented massive clean-up drive along the rivers of Dagupan. The rivers now, especially along barangays Salapingao and Pugaro are now clear of fish pens. The said areas are prone to fish kills in the past including nearby barangay Dupo, Binmaley.

In June 2010, a fish kill occurred along Cacquiputan Channel between the towns of Anda and Bolinao. Another big fish kill incident transpired on June 2007 at the same area.

The worst fish kill recorded so far happened in Bolinao in 2002. After this tragic event, then Bolinao mayor now first district Representative Jesus Celeste issued a moratorium at the affected river tributaries.

For about a year, no fish cage or fish pen was allowed to operate at the affected areas. After which, the number of fish cage and fish pen was regulated for better water flow.