THE cold weather this month of December (expected to last until January) brought about by the Siberian wind is causing not only persons but also the fish to shiver.

Since the “ber” months started, there has been a sharp decline in the production of milkfish (bangus), the top aquacultural product in Dagupan and other coastal areas of Pangasinan.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC), explained that bangus is a tropical fish or a hot water specie of fish.

Being a hot water specie, it is but natural for milkfish not to eat much during cold weather and, therefore, milkfish do not grow as fast during the cold season unlike when the weather is warmer, he added.

Vendors at the Magsaysay Fish Market here confirmed that this fact is the reason for the drop of supply of milkfish in the market that results in higher price for bangus during the season.

A kilo of milkfish today is being sold here from P140 to P150, up from P125 early last month.

Rosario advised fish farmers to give feeds to their milkfish in captivity sparingly and not in usual quantities since these will not be consumed heavily.

He warned that unconsumed feeds will cause pollution if not, to rot and decay at the bottom of fish ponds.

At the same time, he advised fish farmers to reduce the volume of their milkfish in captivity to minimize their losses.

He confirmed that the best time to raise and harvest milkfish is during summer.

Fish farmers have complained to Rosario that aside from the cold weather, the low level of water in their ponds because of the approaching summer also causes them a lot of worries. (Leonardo Micua)

 

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