A new variant of tilapia, made by cross-breeding two varieties, were recently distributed to backyard hatcheries in five towns in the province.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (BFAR-NIFTDC), Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), and the  National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) led the program, “Outscaling of Protocols on Saline Tilapia Molobicus (O.niloticus x O.mossambicus) through Backyard Satellite Hatcheries as Livelihood Support to Village Level Farmers in Pangasinan,” at the BFAR Complex in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, this city.

Dr. Lilia Garcia, NFRDI Executive Director, said the project is in response to Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s calls to contribute to the goal of increasing fish production and income of fisherfolk.

Local hatcheries in the towns of Sual, Bolinao, Bani, Binmaley, and Lingayen, have already signed up with the three agencies. Each hatchery partner will receive 1,000 pieces of breeder-quality seventh-generation Molobicus tilapia, and P200,000 worth of equipment.

“The hatchers will breed the tilapia and to increase their population while the agencies) will continue monitoring data for possible expansion”, said Garcia.

If successful, this will serve as livelihood support for fish farmers in the province and other parts of the country.

Pangasinan was chosen to be the pilot area for raising the Molobicus tilapia variety, because of the quality of brackish water.

The saline tilapia Molobicus is a hybrid species. This is done through crossbreeding and backcrossing between the Niloticus — one of the best tilapia species, and Mossambicus — considered to be among the most salt-tolerant of the tilapias.

“Mayroong saltwater intrusion. We need to adapt. Freshwater-based aquaculture could be limiting”, said Dr. Westly Rosario, Molobicus Philippines project head and former BFAR-NIFTDC chief.

The strain, he said, will optimize production in more than 200,000 hectares of brackish water ponds.

While the Molobicus is a ‘foreigner’ among Philippine water, Rosario emphasized it is not an invasive alien species.

Rosario was one of the pillars of the creation of the Molobicus breed. Back in 1999, he recalled, was the year the Molobicus all began. (Ahikam Pasion)

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