Would-be mother sabalos released in Dagupan sea
SOME 500 live milkfish were released in the sea of Dagupan by National Director Asis Perez of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as part of the program of his office to produce mother sabalo which would eventually lay eggs that could grow into fingerlings and supply the needs of bangus growers.
Perez said the dispersal is part of the mission to increase milkfish population in the wild in order to help enhance the bangus industry.
The release coincided with a national fish forum attended by BFAR regional directors from various parts of the country held at the Asian Fisheries Academy inside the BFAR-National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) in Bonuan Binloc.
Dr. Westly Rosario, NIFTDC center chief, joined Perez in dispersing the live bangus.
Perez said he expects at least 10 percent of the milkfish released to grow into mother sabalo and help produce fingerlings to plug the short supply in the market.
“We would have 50 sabalos later on,” adding that one sabalo produces millions of eggs and fingerlings.
It will take up to four years before the released milkfish will mature into mother sabalo.
At the same time, Perez said the possibility of a major fishkill similar to what happened in western Pangasinan last year is low because of the well-managed situation in lakes.
He noted that the fishkill last year cost fish farmers some P600 million to P1 billion, including those in areas that were not affected by the fishkill because of the sudden low demand as consumers shied away from buying bangus.
“Hopefully because of proper management, we will be able to weather that situation this year,” he said.
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