Dagupan water remains critical but no fishkill
NO fishkill yet but the pressure is taking its toll on the fishes in ponds and pens. The fishes are not growing as fast they should under normal circumstances.
This was the observation of Dagupan City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina of the fishes being cultured in ponds and pens locally in the face of the continuous rise of water temperature due to the current dry spell.
But she said unlike in other places, no fish kill has so far occurred in Dagupan City despite the already alarming condition of the fishes.
She warned pond and pen operators to be on the alert particularly at this time of the year.
Molina revealed that based on the study of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the river water is usually at its critical stage during the period March to June.
This is likely to be repeated, she said, from September to November.
Molina confirmed that because of the continuing dry spell, the temperature and salinity of the water along the Dagupan-Binmaley-Lingayen River remain critical but still not enough to trigger a fish kill.
The first critical period of the year affects the area at the boundary of Lucao, Dagupan City and Binmaley, while the second critical period affects the area in Salapingao and Pugaro, near Dupo, Binmaley.
She also cautioned the pond and pen operators against overstocking because this may cause the depletion of oxygen in the water and trigger a massive fish kill as her office continues to monitor the quality of water in the city.
At the same time, Molina is confident that there is enough milkfish to be grilled during the bangus festival from April 16 to May 1 here.
She said based on the supply arriving at the Dagupan Fish Market daily, the 24,000 pieces that will be needed during the bangus festival can be met.
Molina said despite the massive losses incurred by pond and pen owners during the flood spawned by typhoon “Pepeng, those who immediately restocked their are already beginning to harvest their produce.-LM
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