Lake sebu: Prices of freshwater "tilapia" have significantly dropped in Lake Sebu following a massive fish kill, locally known as "kamahong," affecting fish cages in the lake, an official said Wednesday. The sudden decline in prices has been attributed to the recent environmental issues plaguing the area.

According to Philippines News Agency, the municipal lake custodian, Jose Rudy Muyco, revealed that the fish kill resulted in a large number of tilapia deaths, primarily due to a lack of oxygen and sudden changes in water temperature caused by heavy rains in the past few days. Muyco mentioned in a radio interview that efforts are ongoing to determine the total cost of damages incurred.

Fish cage operators have resorted to selling their prematurely harvested tilapia at significantly reduced prices in an attempt to mitigate losses. The retail price of tilapia, which previously ranged from PHP150 to PHP180 per kilogram, has now dropped to PHP50 to PHP80 per kilogram within the municipality.

Muyco explained that the "kamahong" was precipitated by depleted oxygen levels in the lake, overpopulation in fish cages, and the accumulation of chemical feed supplies at the lakebed. He also identified the torrential rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) and the southwest monsoon as contributing factors to the fish kill, drawing parallels to similar incidents in the past.

The repercussions of the fish kill have reached nearby Koronadal City, where fish vendors report a downturn in tilapia sales. Consumers have expressed hesitancy in purchasing the fish amid concerns over the "kamahong" occurrence, adding to the economic strain on local vendors and fisheries.