Post by admin on Jul 24, 2013 9:12:51 GMT 8
Gov’t addresses bay’s ‘knife fish’ infestation
By Ellalyn B. De Vera
June 25, 2013
The population of invasive species called “knife fish” in the Laguna de Bay has reached 10,000 kilograms, prompting national and local agencies and private companies to intensify efforts to contain the infestation.
“For every kilo of knife fish, we are losing seven kilos of our indigenous fish species in Laguna De Bay, which amounts up to P1,050. Thus, if we have a daily catch of 10 tons of knife fish, that means we are losing 70 tons of other fish species including biya, bangus, tilapia, and shrimps every day,” Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez pointed out.
During the “National Forum on the Containment of Knife Fish in Laguna De Ba’I,” Perez and Laguna Lake Development Authority General Manager Nereus Acosta led the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) along with representatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Autority (TESDA), Laguna, Rizal, and Metro Manila Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.
The agencies comprise the technical working group that will draw the specific action plan to address the knife fish infestation.
Initially, the DoST will provide the scientifically-based solutions to combat the problem while TESDA will help in the mass production of the needed equipment.
Knife fish (Chitala ornate) was introduced in the Philippines through the ornamental fish trade. It occurs naturally in swamps, lakes, and rivers of Southeast Asia and South America. Often regarded as the “big bully” in the aquarium, knife fish is known for its aggressiveness and highly-carnivorous nature.
Studies done by BFAR-National Inland Fisheries Technology Center (BFAR-NIFTC) show that a one-kilogram knife fish, which at present has no economic value as food fish can consume up to seven kilos of other fish species, including small fishes, indigenous fishes, shrimps, and mollusks, among others.
The increase in the population of knife fish in the lake appears to reduce the catches of local fish species such as tilapia, bangus, carp, ayungin, shrimps and the like as the latter are being eaten by the said exotic fish.
Under the agreement, the DILG, DSWD, and DTI could look into poverty-related issues and further identify livelihood interventions for the affected fisherfolk in the six provinces, 12 cities, and 49 municipalities around the lake.
“This is one battle we cannot afford to lose. We wouldn’t want to lose the lake which produces more than 40 percent of the bangus supply in the National Capital Region and Calabarzon,” Perez said.
Earlier, BFAR through its Regional Office IV-A also signed a MoA with 12 municipalities of Laguna for the massive collection and retrieval of knife fish.
Each fisherman was paid P20 pesos for every kilo of knife fish retrieved. The scheme provided displaced fisherman an alternative livelihood while the bureau looked for means to utilize the fish and/or fish parts as value-added products for food, feeds, or handicrafts.
The collection of knife fish is a big help for the fisherfolk considering the seasonal occurrence of timud or liya affecting the quality of food fish being caught from the lake.
Source: mb.com.ph/News/Environment/18955/Gov%E2%80%99t_addresses_bay%E2%80%99s_%E2%80%98knife_fish%E2%80%99_infestation#.Ue8pg1NnIwQ