Neap tide affects fish supply, market prices
PRICES of fish products in Dagupan City’s wet market have risen considerably.
Latest monitoring reveals fish prices were up by P10 to P15 and the price was attributed to low supply because of fishermen’s limited catch.
Ronald Santos, fisherman in Dagupan City, said it has been difficult to catch and/or harvest fish because of the neap tide, known locally as alaal.
Neap tide occurs when water level goes down, typically lower than a low tide, mainly due to the moon’s positioning and gravity doing the work.
For fishermen like Mang Ronald, neap tides are the worst time to go fishing, as fewer fish are inshore and feeding.
Fishes in cages and ponds remain in the lower part of the sea, making it difficult to harvest because the fishes go to the deeper parts.
Bangus growers in fishponds are now on alert, since bangus are also affected by neap tide.
Ceferino Daoana, a fishpond caretaker in Dagupan City, said fish kill or gataw may occur during neap tide because there is not enough oxygen.
Meanwhile, Dr. Westly Rosario, former BFAR-NIFTDC chief, said in an interview that to prevent and survive fish fill, bangus raisers must reduce the fish population in fishponds, pens and cages. (Ahikam Pasion)
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