FRESHWATER fish cultivated at Laguna de Bay such as dalag, bangus, tilapia, ayungin, big-head and common carp are still fit for human consumption despite concerns raised by some sectors that the quality of the lake's water has deteriorated over the years.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources gave the assurance after conducting tests on the lake from October to February to determine the lake's water quality.

In a report to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, BFAR said the study on the presence of heavy metals in fish and water samples collected in different stations along the lake revealed that these are all within the standard limits set by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) and are therefore safe for human consumption.

BFAR made the study in response to concerns that the deterioration of the lake may be causing high levels in it of lead, mercury and cadmium.

Test samples were taken from Siniloan, Pakil, Paete and Los Baños in Laguna, and Binangonan, Cardona and Tanay in Rizal.

BFAR said mercury found in the fish samples ranged from 0.00015 parts per million to 0.0011, way below the standard FAO allowable limit of 0.5 ppm. - Job T. Realubit