Residents blame Taal fish kill on local piggeries

Residents of Balete, Batangas are blaming the waste disposal activities of local piggeries for the fish kill that hit a portion of Taal Lake earlier this week, GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali" reported Wednesday. The sight of dead and floating fish left the local fishing community dumbfounded Tuesday, according to the “Balitanghali" report. A leader of the local fisheries sector pointed to the pollution emitted by local piggeries as the cause of the fish kill. “Isang dahilan ng polusyon ay walang pasubali, na ‘yung mga nanggagaling na dumi sa itaas, dumadaan sa ilog. Ang tanging pupuntahan naman ng ilog na ito ay ang Taal Lake," said Camila Echavez, president of the Kilusan ng mga Maliliit na mga Mangingisda sa Lawa ng Taal, in an interview with GMA News.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has tested the water in the affected portions of Taal, and found that the lake contains a high concentration of nitrite and ammonia – toxic substances found in animal wastes. “Medyo mataas kaysa doon sa acceptable level sa fish culture," BFAR aquaculturist Nenita Kawit said in a telephone interview. In its own inspection, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it has not found traces of dumping of animal wastes into the lake. The DENR said it is investigating the matter. The TV report quoted officials of a local piggery as saying that the DENR subjects the piggery sector to stringent inspection every year. The officials also reportedly said they hold the necessary permits for their operations. — Paterno Esmaquel II/KBK, GMA News