Fish Losses Due to Typhoon Helen Reach P806T

Preliminary reports indicated that the losses in terms of losses in bangus and tilapia stocks amounted to some P780T and damages to facilities were pegged at P26T.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 1 director Nestor Domenden reported that at least 113 fish operators were affected, 102 in Pinili, Ilocos Norte and 11 in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur and Sto. Tomas in La Union, a statement from BFAR said.

Aside from the fingerlings which escaped from the fish cages and damaged dikes, 7.5 tons of marketable size tilapia was also lost during the storm.

Earlier, the damages to fish cage/farm operators wrought by the succession of typhoons Ferdie and Gener followed by the heavy monsoon rains already totaled to close to P584M according to the report of the BFAR. Ninety-six per cent or P562.3M comes from losses in terms of cost of inputs such as feeds and market value of fish.

Moreover, at least 7,981 fish pond and fish cage operators from regions 1, 2, 3, 4A and the Cordillera Administrative Region were affected.

Region 3 remains to be the hardest hit of all the regions with 8,827 hectares or 21 percent of the total production areas affected. Fish damages in terms of cost of inputs and farm gate price were estimated at P507M and damages to facilities at P12.7M. The number of operators affected is 6,225 or 78 per cent of the total for all regions.

BFAR director Asis G. Perez had instructed all hatcheries operated by BFAR regional offices not affected by the typhoons to reserve bangus and tilapia fry for distribution to affected fish operators once the weather condition becomes favorable for grow-out.

Mr Perez assures the public that the supply of bangus and tilapia remain stable here at the National Capital Region. Most of these are sourced from the fish cages in Taal Lake where zero fish kill was attained this year because of proper resource management by all stakeholders.