An overwhelming stench of rotting tilapia strewn along the bay startled the residents of Barangay 62-A, Canacao Bay, Cavite City, on November 13, 2023.

Aimeen Latigay from the BFAR-Provincial Fisheries Office in Cavite City said, "Based sa report ng city agriculture office, ay hindi daw po sa kanila ‘yun. Dinala siya ng hanging amihan ‘yun po ‘yung report or kuwento ng mga fisherfolk."

In response, BFAR conducted water analysis in the area, uncovering low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake and elevated ammonia levels.

Latigay explained, “‘Yung mga fish po natin, ‘yung mga tilapia po ay nasa stage of decomposition na so talagang tataas ‘yung ammonia doon kaya po tinitignan din natin ‘yung possibility kung hindi po nanggaling sa kanila yung isda. Hindi natin alam kung ano talaga ‘yung cause ng pagkamatay nung mga tilapia."

Coordinating promptly with the Bantay Dagat, Philippine Coast Guard and Navy, they took immediate action to remove the deceased tilapia from the area, with local residents also assisting.

The estimated haul exceeded seven tons. Latigay reported, "According sa city agriculture officer sa Cavite City ay konti na lang daw po halos nahakot na po ng mga tumulong po."

The dead tilapia were buried promptly at the Materials Recovery Facility in Barangay San Antonio, Cavite City.