FRESH WATER FARMING

DEMAND for fresh water fish such as mudfish, catfish, gurami and fresh water tilapia called pla-pla remains higher than the available supply within Pangasinan, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

As such, Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the BFAR’s National Integrated Fisheries Technology Center (NIFTDC), said there is a need for more investments in semi-intensive culture of fresh water fishes in Pangasinan, which remains way behind the culture of brackish and marine water fishes in the province.

Rosario added that Pangasinan actually has a surplus in milkfish (bangus) and marine tilapia that are produced in brackish and marine water.

At least 60 percent of the milkfish sold in Metro Manila come from Pangasinan while the other 40 percent come from Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna and Batangas, Rosario said.

BAYAMBANG POTENTIAL

Rosario cited that no place in the Philippines has fresh water resources bigger than that of Bayambang town, which has the Mangabul Lake.

Bayambang is currently the biggest producer of fresh water fish in Pangasinan, Rosario said the Mangabul Lake has not been fully tapped for its potential in fresh water culture.

Rosario said the NIFTDC already has the technology which it can share to potential fresh water fish farmers, including fresh water prawn, noting that the center is currently the country’s biggest producer of fresh water prawn fry.

He said the specie of giant gurami, which grows as big as the size of a dinner plate, can be introduced in Bayambang to boost the fresh water fish to be raised in their ponds.

Bayambang holds the Malangsi Festival every April 4 to promote its fresh water fish industry. (LVM)

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