“GATAW” (gasping for air at water’s surface followed by possible death)—considered as a big challenge for bangus growers in Pangasinan—is about to break out anew because of the changing weather pattern, putting pressure on milkfish being raised in captivity.

Christopher Sibayan, president of the Association of Magbabangus in Pangasinan (SAMAPA), admitted that the onset of hot weather together with sudden rains occurring mostly in the afternoons or evenings, has a bad effect on domestic fish where ammonia replaces the oxygen in the water that the fish need for them to live.

“Gataw”, he said, usually happens, he said, in an overcrowded fish cage where the dissolved oxygen supply needed by the fish to live is lessened by the heat and calmer water, resulting in the fish dying eventually at the surface with bloated stomach.

This can also be seen by the whitening of the gills and eyes of the fish that floats in the water.

He added that the weather transition from extreme heat to cold weather also affects the growth of the domestic fish.

However, some fishermen, in order to save their fish in captivity from dying because of the occurrence of calmer water, run the rudder of their motorboats in their fishponds to create some activities in the water to produce dissolved oxygen needed by the fish.

Meanwhile, Sibayan admitted that there is still enough bangus supply in Pangasinan and in various parts of the country. (Kim Gealogo)

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