Hundreds of fish have been found dead in Manila Bay, the Philippines and experts believe a reduction in oxygen levels to be the cause.

Footage filmed on September 18 shows several fish carcasses floating amongst plastic pollution in the bay.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conducted tests on the water quality in the Baseco area and revealed it had very low levels of dissolved oxygen.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda dismissed claims that artificial white sand, white dolomite, on the shoreline was the cause.

Antiporda, who conducted an inspection on the site, said water samples from the area were already obtained and laboratory tests are being done.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said Friday sabotage or illegal fishing might be the cause of the recent fish kill in Manila Bay.The DENR’s undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns said almost the same time last year, on October 10, a fish kill in Manila Bay was reported.

This was attributed by experts to the drastic decrease in dissolved oxygen level in Manila Bay.

The official dismissed the insinuation by critics of the project that the dumped crushed dolomite may be the reason for the fish kill.

“There are insinuations that the dolomite is to blame.  How could that be when the project site is some 5 kilometers away from the fish kill?” he said.

Antiporda, who conducted an inspection on the site, said water samples from the area were already obtained and laboratory tests are being done.