The Fishery Division of the Davao City Agriculturist Office (CAgrO) bared on Wednesday, February 1, that the city’s Mariculture Livelihood Project’s expansion in Barangay Lasang will double the current bangus (milkfish) production in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya.
Agricultural technologist John Necor, during the Madayaw Davao program of 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), said while the 220 fish cages on a 25-hectare area in Punta Dumalag produce 70 tons of bangus monthly, the 100-hectare fish cages in Lasang can harvest at least 150 tons.
“Naa’y expansion located sa Lasang. Ginahan-ay na ang balaud aron makatukod napud og fish cages didto kay nahuman naman ang survey ngadto. Kung ma-fully operational na ang fish cages didto, makaya ra ang 150 tons per month (There is an expansion located in Lasang. The law is being finalized so that fish cages can be built there since the survey has been completed. When the fish cages there are fully operational, they can produce 150 tons per month),” he said. The Lasang Mariculture Livelihood Project expansion is expected to materialize this year),” he said.
Meanwhile, over 40 fish cage operators are operating in Punta Dumalag. Since their location is near Matina Pangi River and Talomo River, bangus production is usually affected during heavy flooding.
Necor said, “Kung magbaha, ang tubig mag brown, diha naa’y mga bangus nga mangamatay. Apektado gyud, duna’y fatalities (When there is flood, the water turns brown, killing the bangus. The production is affected as the bangus die).”
He said fish cages in the sea keep the bangus cleaner than those being bred in fish ponds as there is no mud.
CAgrO allocated 100,000 irrigation ditches/pond systems among the city’s fish cage operators. The office also distributed fingerlings and regularly provides technical support to fish farmers, and monitors water quality in fish cages and fish ponds along with the Bureau of Fishers and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
“Nagatabang sab mi sa security sa area aron ma minimize ang pagpangawat. Ginabadlong ang mga musulod nga dili taga fish cage (We are also helping secure the area to minimize theft. Those who come in but are not from fish cages are reprimanded),” Necor added.
He also said Dabawenyo fisherfolks are welcome to seek technical support on fish farming and fish production or any assistance for related concerns from their office. CIO
