LINGAYEN—Aquaculture stakeholders are teaming up with the provincial government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region I (BFAR-R1) to formulate a strategy that will strengthen province’s bangus industry.

Representatives of the different sectors met last week in a forum conducted by the Office of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) and the BFAR-R1, where the fish producers vowed to work with the government in coming up with a comprehensive plan for the industry.

At the forum, BFAR Regional Director Nestor Domenden presented a situationer report on the status of the bangus industry, including some technological innovations that will help ward off threats on the province’s signature business enterprise.

A series of fishkill during the summer months hit the western coastal towns, specifically Anda and Bolinao, resulting in huge losses.

Producers in other parts of Pangasinan were also gravely affected as the demand for bangus slackened altogether for fear of buying produce from the fishkill areas.

Domenden said there is a need to adopt a “systematic strategy” and stakeholders of the industry “must harmonize their efforts and husband their resources to win back market patronage of Pangasinan bangus”.

Aside from the fishkill, other issues faced by the industry include unfair pricing of products, also known as “syndicated pricing system”, lack of unity among stakeholders, and the mismatch of production trends against the demands of consumers, among others.

Dolly Moya, Officer-in-Charge of OPAG, said the provincial government is determined to implement “doable actions” to help save the industry.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. has also called for a stop on the use of illegal fish pens and stronger regulation on the installation of fishing structures in the province’s rivers. (PIO)

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