A member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) called on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, for an inquiry regarding the alleged spread of tilapia lake virus (TLV) causing a fish kill, as the member feels that the fish kill might impact the fish prices here.
This was disclosed by Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos during his regular report to the Boholanos aired via Open Forum program on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado.
Relampagos said Board Member Jade Bautista, in a privilege speech, thinks that the virus, allegedly causing fish kill, may result in reduced tilapia supply and drive fish supply in the province.
The vice governor added during the interview that Bautista said an area in Sevilla town has been allegedly affected by the said virus causing a fish kill.
Relampagos in the same interview said that the inquiry regarding the TLV will be conducted by the SP Committee on Agriculture chaired by Board Member Ricky Masamayor.
Moreover, he stated that the alleged virus causing fish kill might impact the prices of fish in Bohol.
At the same time, Relampagos said the SP is also interested to know whether or not the said virus has an impact on human health, but based on initial information he obtained, the said virus does not pose any problems to human health.
Meanwhile, in a separate report, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) provincial director Candido Samijon confirmed on Wednesday, that there are three reported incidents of fish kill in the province which are in the towns of Bilar, Sevilla and Carmen.
Samijon said that the regional office of the BFAR already took samples of fish from these said areas for laboratory analysis to determine the presence of TLV.