BFAR starts daily water monitoring after fish kill in Romblon

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and other regulators will conduct daily water quality monitoring in coastal waters of Odiongan after reports of fish mortality on Oct. 4 and 6.

The monitoring program aims to establish baseline environmental data and determine possible factors behind the incidents, BFAR in Mimaropa said in a statement on Monday morning.

During an interagency meeting on Oct. 9, BFAR’s Provincial Fisheries Office in Romblon organized monitoring activities with the Odiongan local government and marine agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP Maritime police. 

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READ: BFAR: Too early to blame Romblon town fish kill on El Niño

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The monitoring will measure water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and pH, as well as water depth and tidal conditions.

Initial field investigations and interviews by BFAR and the local government showed unusually warm seawater in the affected tidal flats.

Authorities are considering elevated water temperature as a possible contributing factor, particularly during periods of intense sunlight and low tide. However, authorities said they need further monitoring and assessment to establish the actual cause.

The reported fish mortality incident occurred in the intertidal areas of Barangays Canduyong, Panique, Gabawan, and Libertad.

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A similar incident was reported in Odiongan in 2024, underscoring the need for sustained monitoring and reliable environmental data to determine whether the incidents share common factors.

BFAR Mimaropa clarified that the latest incidents remain classified as a “reported fish mortality” event, not a confirmed fish kill, pending further investigation and water quality assessment./coa