Neap Tide to hit Pangasinan next week

Advertisements

Pangasinan, Philippines - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Westly Rosario recently confirmed prior reports of the approaching neap tide phenomenon to hit the province of Pangasinan next week based on the agency's most recent monitoring.

According to Rosario, during this instance water in the sea flows so slow that oxygen production will more likely become too low. Because of this, the official warns on and emphasized the possibility of fish-kill to occur because of seawater oxygen insufficiency.

He therefore suggested every fishpond owners, particularly those in the coastal towns of Anda and Bolinao to consider harvesting their bangus (milkfish) early to prevent potential losses from fish-kill threat, as there will likely be low dissolved oxygen based on the agency's monitoring.

“It’s very consistent that there is low dissolved oxygen at the bottom. There is a possibility of fish kill in these areas. So it’s better if they harvest early,” Rosario said.

The towns of Anda and Bolinao are known to produce huge quantities of bangus that are mostly sold in Metro Manila.

What is neap tide and what is causing such phenomenon to occur?

Neap tide is a tide in which the difference between high and low tide is the least. Neap tides occur twice a month when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to the Earth.

When this is the case, their total gravitational pull on the Earth's water is weakened because it comes from two different directions.

Rosario further explained that during neap tides, there will be no mechanical production of oxygen because of the absence of water flow and the current is also calm.

Last April 25, BFAR's monitoring has revealed a problem on low dissolved oxygen at the bottom of the coastal waters in Bolinao and Anda towns with the bottom level being critical. The agency saw the measurement invariably ranges from the lowest at 2.51 parts per million (ppm) and the highest at 3.88 ppm.

The normal oxygen level for milkfishes to survive is 5ppm. Below 3ppm is already stressful to the fishes, Rosario added.

Aside from recommending early harvest to fishpond owners, Rosario also suggests reducing the density of their bangus stocks until tide goes back to normal. Artificial aeration can also help, according to the BFAR chief.

Categories: Regional