Thousands of fish turn up dead in Parañaque, Las Piñas

Thousands of dead fish wound up on the shores of Long Island, Las Piñas and Freedom Island, Parañaque on Thursday morning in an apparent case of fish kill, according to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras".

Among the species found on the shores were asuhos, kanduli, butete, sapsap, tilapia, and barracuda.

Authorities said they have not yet determined the cause of the fish kill, but noted that it took place in the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, which is a protected nature reserve.

The Las Piñas Agricultural Office speculates that something must have been in the water.

“‘Yung tubig na mula sa mga ilog baka nahalo dun sa dagat kaya ‘di natin alam kung ano laman nun kaya namatay mga isda,” said Ceasar Canoy, admin aide of the Agriculture Department.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also advised residents in the area not to take and eat the dead fish amid reports of some people collecting fish from the shore to sell and consume.

“Kung patay na ang isda, 'wag nang kainin. I-dispose na siya in a very proper way. 'Di mo alam kung ilang oras nang patay siya. Kung contaminated siya with bacteria and other ano, 'di magandang minerals, mga bagay-bagay, magkakaroon ng effect 'yan sa 'pag kinain niyo,” said BFAR Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona.

The BFAR and Department of Environment and Resources have taken water samples from the affected areas for testing.

The agencies, in cooperation with the Metro Manila Development Authority, will also be cleaning up the shores to avoid the further spread of bacteria. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News