Compostela residents blame fishkill on aerial spraying

By Frinston Lim Mindanao Bureau TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Officials and residents of the village of Malinawon in Mawab, Compostela Valley said last Saturday’s fishkill, which affected the Mawab and Hijo rivers, occurred after a banana company conducted aerial spraying on its plantation there. "On Saturday dead freshwater fish, mostly catfish and mudfish, had floated downstream and we suspect that strong chemicals could have caused it," Marjorie Donato, Malinawon village chair, said. He said the actual volume of fish killed was not immediately known but residents described the floating fish as "like a mat in the river." Donato said the fishkill started after banana exporter Alta Vista Ventures of the Marsman-Drysdale conducted aerial spraying. But he quickly said they were not blaming the company. Reporters tried to seek... [read full story]