RSOE EDIS: Philippines - Biological Hazard - 2010.02.25

RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service Budapest, Hungary RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL

2010-02-25 04:13:03 - Biological Hazard - Philippines EDIS CODE: BH-20100225-25065-PHL Date & Time: 2010-02-25 04:13:03 [UTC] Area: Philippines, Province of Isabela, Magat Dam, Event exciting : Low level oxigen Damage level: Heavy (Level 3) Not confirmed information! Description: At least 10,000 kilograms of tilapia died from lack of dissolved oxygen due to the low water level at the Magat Dam in Isabela province, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Thursday. BFAR chief Malcolm Sarmiento told ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda that the fishkill at the Magat Dam was the worst among other similar incidents in the past. "There were fishkills in the past, but not as serious as this... Reports reaching our office indicate that at least 10 tons [of tilapia] were affected," Sarmiento said. He said that initial investigations showed that the decreasing water level at the Magat Dam deprived the fish of dissolved oxygen. Sarmiento said more tilapia may turn up dead in the coming days, which is why they have advised fish cage operators to immediately conduct "premature harvest." "We advised them to make premature harvests so that the [remaining] fish would have enough dissolved oxygen," the BFAR chief added. He said they have also warned fish cage operators to immediately bury the dead fish and avoid selling them in local markets. Susan Espinueva, chief of PAGASA's hydrometeorological division, said over the weekend that the Magat Dam's water level drops at an average of .5 meters a day. She said that significant drop in the dam's water level is caused by the El Niño phenomenon. Espinueva said water irrigation reserves for the low-lying areas of the province will last only until March 15. Isabela was the first province to be placed under a state of calamity after the prolonged dry spell caused millions of pesos worth of damage to crops. The name of Hazard: Fishes Die-off Species: Animal Status: Confirmed Posted:2010-02-25 04:13:03 [UTC] Please DO NOT reply to this message: replies may be treated as errors and result in your subscription being deleted. If you have trouble or other queries, send email to havaria@rsoe.hu RSOE EDIS is operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Budapest, Hungary. Because of the complexity of this system and its dependence on other systems, we cannot be responsible for delays or failures in forwarding or transmission. You're receiving this AlertMail because you subscribed for the service. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Contact: havaria@rsoe.hu