Several tilapia growers in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato have resorted to emergency harvests after their fish died following continuous rains.

In an aerial video, dead tilapia can be seen floating inside fish cages at a lake in Barangay Poblacion on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

The fish kill prompted owners to harvest the remaining live tilapia immediately before they incur more losses.

Due to the lack of buyers and prior bookings, some fish cage operators are selling their tilapia along the roads of the town at much lower prices.

From P180 per kilo, the price has dropped to around P130 to P140 per kilo, with some reportedly selling for as low as P80 per kilo.

However, for the around 700 fish cage owners, this is still a better option than not earning anything because of the fish kill.

According to the fish warden, around 13.5 metric tons of tilapia were harvested and sold out as of Tuesday, July 14.

They said the fish died most likely because of the low oxygen level in the water, triggered by the non-stop rains.

They added that floodwaters from the watershed in upland areas reportedly flowed into the lake, which serves as a catch basin.

“Na-short sa oxygen ang lawa. Pag di maagapan, mamatay na tuloy ang isda…Yung palagiang ulan na walang init, magbaba talaga ang oxgen ng lawa,” Lake Sebu Fish Warden, Jose Rudy Muyco, said.