FOOD from nature, locally known as lablab, is one of the fundamental ingredients why Dagupan bangus has always been known to be the tastiest variety in the world.

Over the years, commercial breeding in fishponds around the city has grown alongside the increasing demand and the need for more efficient production.

But a return to the development and promotion of bangus production based on naturally-occurring food is now being planned to cater to the growing trend for organic food and healthy living.

Dr. Westly Rosario, interim executive director of the National Fisheries Research Development Institute and center chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC) based in Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan, said the project will be part of the Sa Ilog ko, May Pagbabago (In My River, There is Change) livelihood program for marginal fisher folks of the City.

“Raising Dagupan bangus through lablab is an idea for Dagupan to promote ‘organic’ aquaculture… This could be the answer to the growing call for healthy food as people aim to live longer,” said Rosario following a meeting on Tuesday of city officials led by Mayor Belen Fernandez and representatives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),

Under the plan, five fishpond co-operators with a combined area of at least one hectare will be selected to undertake the organic breeding.

The operators will handle maintenance and labor will be cooperators’ equity while fingerlings will be provided by BFAR-NIFTDC.

The selected area will also serve as a tourist site where visitors can see the organic pond and have a taste of the fish harvest.

“If a tourist comes in and wants to have organic bangus and see where it is raised, we can show him/her where and we have ready product,” Rosario said.

The recommended areas include Barangays Bonuan Gueset, Bonuan Boquig, Bonuan Binloc, Lucao and Mamalingling.

NATURE’S GIFT

Rosario explained that lablab grows when the temperature is hot in some of Dagupan’s rivers given the available nutrients and the kind of soil in the city, something that is unique to the city and can command a special rate higher than other bangus products.

Tidal action, resulting in the regular flushing of fishpond water, also significantly influences the growth of lablab, considered as a first-class natural food for bangus.

Fishponds around Dagupan are also less phosphorous with the perfect mixture of brackish water which favors good growth and balanced salinity ranging from 10-25 parts per thousand and temperature at 25-32 ‘Celsius,  dissolves oxygen of 3-5 milligrams per liter due to the frequent change of tides since the city is near the opening to the sea.

“Dagupan is the benchmark in having lablab production but the technology suffers disorder due to rampant use of feeds. So we wanted to go back to the traditional way,” he said.

Currently, according to Rosario, no distinctions are made between organically-grown bangus and those given commercial feeds.

Dagupan bangus growers have been lamenting of minimal profits due to the growing competition of bangus bred in other parts of Pangasinan as well as other provinces.

“With the successful effort of Mayor Belen Fernandez to dismantle illegal fishpens in the rivers here, this organic bangus growing could also be an idea whose time has come,” Rosario said.–Eva Visperas with report from CIO 

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