‘Gloria Tilapia’ not so glorious for bangus growers

By July 8, 2013Business, News

A TINY tilapia variety christened by fisher folks in Bataan as “Gloria Tilapia” could pose a threat to bangus growers in the province if cultivated in the same fishponds.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) office in Dagupan City is now studying samples of the tilapia, which is distinct for its very small body size that stagnates at about 50 grams with dark pigmentation usually concentrated on the underside of the chin.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the BFAR Dagupan’s research center, said Gloria tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) could prove to be headache to bangus growers because these species multiply fast and could easily encroach on space intended for bangus.

Given the tilapia’s characteristics, Rosario said he would rather recommend the use of this fish as food for the seabass they are culturing at the BFAR center.

Rosario said nobody could seem to determine who brought the species to Bataan, where it has suddenly been growing widespread.

It is sold by Bataan folks for as low as P20 per kilo.

Samples were brought to the BFAR center for study and Rosario said they could not immediately confirm whether the tilapia species was indeed Sarotherodon melanotheron but a visiting French scientist has verified it as such.  

Eleven years ago, Rosario undertook a saline tilapia project at the BFAR center and presented its success in France.

As for the name, Rosario is amused that it was named Gloria, possibly after former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who stands below five feet tall.

Nagtataka kami bakit Gloria, siguro dahil maliit,” Rosario said.

The BFAR Dagupan previously named a shrimp species Hipon ni Gloria in honor of the former President. —Eva Visperas 

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