Magat Dam fish cage project gains headway
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) said its circular high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cage project at Magat Dam gained headway after at least 5 metric tons (MT) of tilapia were harvested in the first cycle of culture period on Thursday, April 11.
Key officials and representatives from partner agencies and institutions including the National Irrigation Administration, the Isabela provincial government, the local government units of Ramon and Cordon, SN Aboitiz, barangay officials, and members of fisherfolk groups witnessed the partial harvesting of tilapia in Magat Dam.
According to BFAR, the HDPE cage project was in response to fish cage operators in Magat Dam who asked for assistance to revitalize the tilapia industry in this town.
The BFAR Region 2 then awarded 12 circular HDPE fish cages to seven fisherfolk associations in the municipalities of Ramon and Cordon in this province.
The HDPE cage project was stocked with 144,000 pieces of tilapia fingerlings during its first cycle of operation which is expected to yield 21.6 MT of tilapia.
Some 329 members which comprise the fisherfolk associations expressed positive feedback on the performance of the newly introduced aquaculture production system, the BFAR said.
The fisherfolk-beneficiaries associations managing the HDPE cage project in Ramon town are the Magat Lakeside Farmers and Fishpond Operators Association (Malaffoa), Magat Riverside Fisherfolk Association, and Magat Dam Mangalap Fisherfolk Association.
The Cordon town-based fisherfolk-beneficiaries association are the Taliktik Magat Dam Fisherfolk Association, Magat Dam Dallao Fisherfolk Association, Women’s Association of Taliktik Magat Dam, and Cordon Mushroom Corn/ Cassava Vermi Compost Organic Association.
“Given that our climate is changing, the Magat fishing community will profit immensely from the implementation of this project,” said Mel Victorino Valentin, Malaffoa president.
Valentin noted that through this project, the Cagayan Valley region will have an abundant supply of fish at a reasonable price, while the associations will have funding and extra income.
“We are incredibly thankful to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for this project,” Valentin said.
“This is a prime example of how the government supports the fishing sector by granting equitable access to programs and initiatives that promote welfare and development. Indeed, a beneficial impact on the community,” Valentin added.
The BFAR Region 2, headed by Director Angel Balisi Encarnacion, explained that the HDPE cages are “widely used because of the versatility of the materials used, its durability and resistance against typhoons, and its relative simplicity in the performance of various farming operations, boasting an extended life expectancy of over 30 years compared to traditional bamboo cages that can only last up to 1.5 years.”
These cages are expected to bridge the gap in fish production, especially during typhoons or natural disasters.
The bureau also noted that implementing climate-adaptive initiatives has been its strategy “to sustain fisheries production in the region, especially during adverse weather conditions caused by climate change.”
“As the primary government agency responsible for the production of fisheries commodities for consumption and various other purposes, the DA-BFAR [Region 2] has strategically embraced technology demonstration interventions and other relevant projects,” the bureau said.