P4.5 million bangus lost in fish kill

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Several fish ponds in three barangays in this city have been affected by fish kill.

City agriculturist Emma Molina said milkfish worth the affected barangays are Salapingao-Dupo, Pugaro Suit and Calmay. An estimated P4.5 million worth of milkfish was lost.

Molina said the fish kill was caused by a sudden change in temperature.

“We had a temperature of 44.6 degrees Celsius and then at dawn on April 25, there was a drizzle,” she said.

Molina advised milkfish growers not to overstock to prevent a similar incident.

Under a city ordinance, a maximum of 3,500 pieces of milkfish should be raised in a 70-square-meter fish cage.