A FISHERFOLK group wants more transparency in the government’s Manila Bay rehabilitation program as more incidents of fishkill are recorded in bodies of water connected to the bay.

“It’s not enough that BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) would only explain scientifically the causes of the fishkill. We are already aware of that and we believe that this is not a natural phenomenon,” Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said in a statement on Monday.

“What we want to hear from them is who was the responsible, what are the measures, and what concrete actions can the affected fisherfolk expect from the government to continue their wheels of production,” the group said.

BFAR said on Monday that the reported shellfish mortality in Bacoor and Sangley Point in Cavite was caused by lower level of salinity from 19 to 25 part per thousand (ppt) versus the required level at 27 to 35 ppt, triggered by heavy rainfall in the area.

Low level of dissolved oxygen and high concentrations of ammonia and phosphates were also observed in the water. High levels of such chemicals is harmful to marine life.

PAMALAKAYA reported that coastal towns of Cavite were also affected by water pollution, as dead mussels and oysters were collected in a mussel farm in Bacoor City.

Fish kill was also reported in Las Piñas City and Parañaque City on Oct. 11, which was caused by low levels of dissolved oxygen compared with the standard 5.0 part per million (ppm), and high levels of ammonia and phosphates, versus normal levels of 0.05 ppm and 0.5 ppm, respectively.

Loss was estimated to be at one to two tons of various fish species. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

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