26 October 2005
RP-Norway study to show fishkill prevention moves
A PHILIPPINE-NORWAY scientific study on aquaculture industry in the Philippines initially showed that some of the country’s biggest aquaculture area are fishkill-prone and require drastic reforms in present culture practices to avoid the problem.
The study, funded at 2.2 Norwegian Nok or P18 million, was launched early this eyar, targeting three pilot aquaculture areas, namely Dagupan City and Bolinao in Pangasinan and Taal Lake in Batangas.
The group used sophisticated equipment from Norway to determine the depth and the quality of water in conducting the study.
The fishkills, according to the study, would continue in Dagupan City because not only are the rivers very shallow but also because they are teeming with a big number of fish cages, pens and traps.
Dagupan already experienced three fishkills this year with possibly more coming, if present methods of culture being employed by fish farmers, upon the dictates of their financiers, will continue.
As of April when the study was conducted in Dagupan, there were 124 fish cages with two unopened; 553 fishpens with 126 unopened; 528 fish traps with 13 unopened; and 94 oyster farms with one unopened.
The fishpens and traps, the latter located in the middle of rivers, prevent the flushing out of dirty water to the sea in case of rise and fall of tides, the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) said in a report.
The study team initially recommended the reduction of fishcages and pens as well as fish traps and the provision of wider navigational lanes in order to prevent the recurrent fishkills, thus allowing more breathing space for the fish.
NIFTDC said there should be more oyster farms in Dagupan since oysters are a good balancing factor in the water in order to prevent pollution.
A similar finding was noted in the aquaculture industry of Bolinao where water along the Caquiputan channel cluttered with fish cages for years now is virtually not moving anymore.
Fish cages, according to the NIFTDC, are preferable over floating in the water and can be moved from place to place.
The Center added that oyster raising and mussel farming were already introduced in the Caquiputan channel as complimentary activities to milkfish raising so they can help reduce pollution in the water.
Final recommendation of the study group, according to the NIFTDC chief, will be revealed in meetings to be conducted sometime next year among local government executives, their fishery officials and all stakeholders of the aquaculture industry.
The study, funded at 2.2 Norwegian Nok or P18 million, was launched early this eyar, targeting three pilot aquaculture areas, namely Dagupan City and Bolinao in Pangasinan and Taal Lake in Batangas.
The group used sophisticated equipment from Norway to determine the depth and the quality of water in conducting the study.
The fishkills, according to the study, would continue in Dagupan City because not only are the rivers very shallow but also because they are teeming with a big number of fish cages, pens and traps.
Dagupan already experienced three fishkills this year with possibly more coming, if present methods of culture being employed by fish farmers, upon the dictates of their financiers, will continue.
As of April when the study was conducted in Dagupan, there were 124 fish cages with two unopened; 553 fishpens with 126 unopened; 528 fish traps with 13 unopened; and 94 oyster farms with one unopened.
The fishpens and traps, the latter located in the middle of rivers, prevent the flushing out of dirty water to the sea in case of rise and fall of tides, the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) said in a report.
The study team initially recommended the reduction of fishcages and pens as well as fish traps and the provision of wider navigational lanes in order to prevent the recurrent fishkills, thus allowing more breathing space for the fish.
NIFTDC said there should be more oyster farms in Dagupan since oysters are a good balancing factor in the water in order to prevent pollution.
A similar finding was noted in the aquaculture industry of Bolinao where water along the Caquiputan channel cluttered with fish cages for years now is virtually not moving anymore.
Fish cages, according to the NIFTDC, are preferable over floating in the water and can be moved from place to place.
The Center added that oyster raising and mussel farming were already introduced in the Caquiputan channel as complimentary activities to milkfish raising so they can help reduce pollution in the water.
Final recommendation of the study group, according to the NIFTDC chief, will be revealed in meetings to be conducted sometime next year among local government executives, their fishery officials and all stakeholders of the aquaculture industry.
