DESPITE the intensified heat of summer aggravated by El Nino, no fishpond in Dagupan is drying up unlike in some coastal areas that include Lingayen, Binmaley and Labrador.

This was pointed out by City Agriculturist Emma Molina adding that Dagupan’s fishponds are closer to the Lingayen Gulf, and therefore, these can have enough water for the fishponds that produce the tasty Dagupan bangus.

Despite El Nino, fish farmers are still harvesting up to five tons of milkfish daily that are being marketed at wholesale and retail markets in the city.

The price of milkfish in the market today is between P112 to P115 per kilo.

There are still more than 900 hectares of fishponds still left in Dagupan today, according to Molina.

Molina said in terms of volume and capacity, Dagupan is still one of the top producers of bangus in the country.

But she also warned that the hot temperature, oftentimes registering more than 40 heat index, can cause the salinity of the water to rise, which could affect some fish in captivity.

Milkfish can easily adjust to the temperature of the water, Molina said.

But Molina noted that the salinity of 32 ppt already affected the city’s blue mussels which are intolerant to water of high salinity.

The blue mussel is still on field trial in Dagupan through the National Integrated Fisheries and Technology Development Center.

However, there are fishpond owners who expressed desires to convert their fishpond lands into commercial or residential sites where they hope to earn more. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments