THE fish kill phenomenon in Barangay Pintatagan in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental is allegedly caused by heavy siltation from mining operations in the area, according to local fisherfolk and environmental groups.
In a video uploaded on Facebook on November 5 by Mar&Ando Fishcage, a resident from Barangay Pintatagan said fish catch has declined since water conditions in the area have changed because of siltation and discoloration incidents.
The siltation reportedly came from mining operations located in high-altitude areas that flow down to the coastal waters of local fishing communities during rainfall, thus affecting the water conditions.
“Sa pag abot aning mining, didto na nag sugod ang problema sa among paningabuhi (Our problems started when the mining operations began). Tungod kay kining ulan, pagkusog sa ulan na nag baha, nilubog kini tungod sa ilahang gibungkag na gihimo og klsada sa ibabaw sa bukid (The rain washed away the debris from the mining operations in the mountains to our waters). Mao ni ang hinungdan sa among fish cage na nauhor og namatay (That’s what caused the fishes to die),” the resident said.
According to a statement from the Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM) on Wednesday, November 11, the nearest mining operation is the port of ARC Nickel Resources Inc. (ANRI) located approximately 800 meters from the fishing community of Brgy. Pintatagan and Puntalinao.
“Common catches like Bolinao (Anchovies), Talakitok, Squid, and Lapu-lapu had declined after consecutive incidences of heavy siltation,” SDM reported. The group added that “Bolinao or Anchovies, in particular, are small fish species that are more sensitive to high water turbidity as heavy metals might accumulate and clog in their gills and choke up to death.”
The mining company was previously closed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region (DENR-Davao) after it caused heavy discoloration and siltation of the vital Mapagba River last January, but the cease-and-desist order was lifted after six months.
“ANRI is extracting nickel-laterite ore, thus, with the fine-grained and dispersive nature of laterite may increase turbidity in marine ecosystems – pelagic and benthic marine species will be asphyxiated due to a decrease in dissolved oxygen, and sunlight may hardly penetrate below surface waters,” SDM said.
However, there is no statement yet from DENR-Davao as of writing. It is also unclear if an investigation by DENR-Davao, or other agencies, is ongoing in Brgy. Pinatatagan to validate or confirm the cause of the fish kill phenomenon.
In a push to protect the natural resources and livelihood of Davao Oriental, the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) rallies the passage into law of House Bill No. 1124 by Representative Joel Mayo Z. Almario which would declare the province as a mining-free zone.
In a statement on November 8, Idis said a total of 39 mining permits have been granted to several mining companies to operate in Davao Oriental, covering 59,976.65 hectares in the province. Included are 19 Mineral Production Sharing Agreements, 4 Exploration Permits, and 12 Minahang Bayan Permits.
“Davao Oriental is home to the first and only Unesco-declared heritage site of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary and the protected seascape of Pujada Bay. DavOr is also a host to a thriving heritage and cultural tradition of Mandaya and Mansaka indigenous peoples, now face the risk of extinction threatened by several mining operations,” Idis said. ICM
