BFAR distributes mosquito fish to schools
CONTRA-DENGUE
In response
to the call of the Department of Health to combat dengue epidemic, the Bureau
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) center in Dagupan City began
releasing mosquito fish to Pangasinan schools for restocking in their waterways
as a defense against dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Westly Rosario, BFAR Dagupan center chief, said mosquito fish (Gambusia
affinis) stocks have been given to different schools in Mangaldan, San Fabian
and Sta. Barbara for restocking in their schools.
“Maybe this
was partly because of what we had previously restocked in canals in schools in Dagupan,
Calasiao, Mangaldan, Malasiqui, San Fabian, among others,” he added.
The schools had specifically
requested for mosquito fish in their schools to ease the minds of the Parents
Teachers Community Association.
He, however, noted that dengue cases in Pangasinan are lower compared to other regions like in Visayas and Mindanao.
Mosquito fish, locally known as itar, tuyong or kataba are resilient even in low oxygen and it can survive on their own, he said. He added that its survival rate is 100 percent.
The name mosquito fish was given because the diet of this fish predominantly consists of large amounts of mosquito larvae.
Mosquito fish are small, dull grey, with a large abdomen, and have rounded dorsal and caudal fins and an upturned mouth towards the surface.
Female mosquito fish can grow up to seven centimeters (cms.) while the males are up to four cms.
“Why wait
until the larvae are hatched into a mosquito, fly and bite people? Stop them
immediately while they’re still in larvae stage,” Rosario urged people.
He noted that mosquitoes nowadays
are already immune to insecticide spray, thus stopping them the earliest
possible time through restocking of mosquito fish is a better way to control
it.
He said his concept about the use of mosquito fish as a defense against dengue
is something that does not require a government fund. (PhilStar Wire Service)
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