Zero fishkill incident in 2012

By January 6, 2013Business, News

FISHPOND operators in the bangus-producing areas in Pangasinan seem to be finally learning to follow the right methods of cultivation with no incidents of fishkill reported in 2012.

Nestor Domenden, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) based in Dagupan City, said the reported fishkill in the island municipality of Anda just before Christmas last year was considered just an “abnormal mortality”.

Three barangays in Anda, namely Siapar, Narra and Bolaoen, lost a total of five metric tons (MT) of bangus, representing .03 percent of the 16,800 MT total population for the harvest period.

Domenden explained that a mortality of 20 per cent of the fish population is expected within the entire production period and the percentage lost in Anda could be considered minimal.

Domenden said the Anda incident indicates that most fishpond operators are now complying 100 percent to set regulations on fishpond operations.

“Had it not been for their close adherence to the agreed policies, the loss would have been bigger and there might have been a repetition of the 2002 massive fish kill incident in the area where about P200-million of bangus was lost,” he said.

But considering the single event, Domenden’s office will revisit of the agreement signed with the operators and the local government units to achieve 100 per cent compliance.

Domenden also credited the bangus growers in the three barangays for immediately collecting the dead fish, bringing these to the designated dumpsite, and undertaking forced harvest to avoid further deterioration of the pond environment.

Some unscrupulous traders, however, attempted to transport 752 kilos of bangus from the abnormal mortality incident, with the intent to sell these at the Alaminos City market. They were thwarted and arrested by joint forces from the BFAR, local fishery office, police and public order and safety office in Alaminos City.—Eva Visperas

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