Tons of fish turn up in Masbate bay

Tons of fish turn up along the shorelines of Mandaon town in the province of Masbate.

According to a report on "24 Oras," the residents of Barangay Poblacion,  rushed to gather fish, locally known as "lupoy".

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) - Bikol estimated the haul to weigh around three tons.

"There are a lot of possible triggers why sardine beaching occurs. It can be a sudden change in sea surface temperature and dissolved oxygen or it can be that their food source is near the shore, among others. BFAR Bikol will continue to monitor and explore all means to provide appropriate information to the public," Ariel Pioquinto of BFAR-Bikol said.

He added the fish is safe to eat.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News