Lake buhi: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) - Bicol has documented low dissolved oxygen levels in the surface and middle portions of Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur, following a fish kill in the area.
According to Philippines News Agency, the BFAR-Bicol Fisheries Protection and Sustainable Services Division (FPSSD) Fisheries Integrated Laboratory Section conducted a water quality assessment and validation on August 10, two days after the initial reports of the fish kill in the Ipil and Sta. Cruz areas. Rowena Briones, spokesperson for BFAR-Bicol, indicated that the assessment covered eight areas of the lake, including Sta. Elena, the center of the lake, Iraya, Tambo, Salvacion, the NIA area, Sta. Cruz, and Ipil, affecting 14 cage operators.
"The results of the sampling on August 10 showed signs that there may have been water mixing in the lake," Briones stated, noting the decline in dissolved oxygen levels where the fish cages are located. The reduced oxygen is particularly concerning for tilapia, which can experience stress and difficulty breathing in such conditions.
Briones suggested that recent strong winds and rainfall might have contributed to the mixing of surface and bottom waters in the lake. This mixing could potentially bring low-oxygen water and decomposing materials from the lake's bottom toward the fish cages, although further monitoring is needed to establish a direct cause.
BFAR has recommended the immediate removal and burial of dead fish to prevent further deterioration of water quality. Fish cage operators are advised to temporarily stop feeding their fish and begin emergency harvesting to save unaffected stocks. The agency continues to monitor dissolved oxygen and water temperature at various depths, especially around the five-meter depth where the fish cages are located.
Sta. Cruz, Ipil, and Salvacion have been identified as areas requiring close monitoring due to the reported fish kill. BFAR is also observing the possible movement of decomposing materials from the lake's bottom towards the fish cages.
Briones mentioned that there is currently no data on the extent of the damage, as per the Lake Development Office. The agency has also advised the public to ensure that tilapia intended for consumption are fresh and clean. Personnel from the Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group have been deployed to ensure that carcasses from the fish kill are not sold or brought to markets.
