Cage operators in Taal Lake advised harvesting their fishes

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Calabarzon region has advised fish cage operators in Taal Lake to catch their fish in the face of the threat of the eruption of Taal Volcano.

“We advised din naman ‘yong mga operators na kung puwede nang i-harvest ay harvest na rin nila kasi hindi naman natin sigurado kung ano pa ang mangyayari,” said BFAR-Calabarzon Regional Direcotr Sammy Malvas.

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According to BFAR, there are more than 6,000 fish cages in Taal Lake.

Authorities have limited the time that fishermen can go fishing cages in Taal Lake to feed the fish.

Philippine Coast Guard personnel are also on high alert.

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As of March 11, Taal Volcano Network recorded forty-two (42) episodes of volcanic tremor having durations of one (1) to seven (7) minutes and low-level background volcanic tremor that began at 6:37 PM on 10 March 2021 and lasted approximately four and a half (4.5) hours.

Activity at the Main Crater consisted of weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that rose 5 meters high. Significant sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission that averaged 1,327 tonnes/day was measured yesterday, 10 March 2021.

Also read: Remains of ‘Bloody Sunday’ fatalities being held in Antipolo – Karapatan

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Cage operators in Taal Lake advised harvesting their fishes

Temperature highs of 71.8°C and pH of 1.59 were last measured from the Main Crater Lake respectively on 04 March and 12 February 2021. Ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR data analysis indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since after the January 2020 eruption.

These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice.

Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) is maintained over Taal Volcano. DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that at Alert Level 2, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).

“Nag-try ang ating team na magbangka sa paligid ng Taal Volcano at naka-measure nga ng sulfur dioxide,” said Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum.

“Hindi mo dapat tanggalin sa posibilidad ay magkaroon ng steam-driven explosion or phreatic explosion,” he added.