The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported significant losses of P120 million in tilapia farms affected by a fish kill incident at Magat Dam.The event, linked to El Niño-driven extreme heat, caused water levels to drop, leading to reduced dissolved oxygen levels in the dam.

This environmental stressor resulted in the death of most fish stocks in the affected areas, including Alfonso Lista in Ifugao (P100 million loss) and Ramon town in Isabela (P20 million loss).

BFAR Cordillera Administrative Region director Nazario Briguera explained that the fish mortality was first observed on June 23, with authorities attributing the crisis to the prolonged heatwave.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of aquaculture to climate-related disruptions, emphasizing the need for adaptive measures to mitigate future losses.The economic impact underscores the importance of monitoring environmental factors in managing aquatic resources.

The BFAR's response includes assessing the damage and collaborating with local communities to recover from the losses while addressing the underlying climatic challenges.