In a recently conducted meeting attended by representatives from Provincial Agriculture offices and state universities and colleges as well as concerned staff of the bureau to Fisheries Regional Director Dr Jovita Ayson said that while the bureau promotes the culture of various fish species, BFAR needs to protect endemic species which are of high economic value but are now endangered.
From the several species identified, the group has set Paltat (Native Catfish); Gurami (Snake-skinned Gourami); Igat / Sihin (Eel); Mori (Goby); Ludong (Mullet); Bisukul (Native snail); Cabibi (Freshwater clam); and Udang / Ulang / Payang (Giant freshwater prawn), as priority species for conservation.
Dr Evelyn Ame, Resource Management head of BFAR-2, said that the group will prepare a master proposal, with the provisional title “ABC (Aquaculture, Biology and Conservation) of Endemic Species in Cagayan Valley” for the conservation of said priority species.
“To be included in the proposal are sub-studies on taxonomy, ecology, biology, and socio-economic and marketing aspect. Development of culture technologies for goby species will also be included,” Dr Ame said.
The proposal will be submitted to National Fisheries Research and Development Institute for funding.
The group has tapped Dr Ralph Turingan, professor and chairman of the Marine Biology Programme of Florida Institute of Technology in Florida, USA, to assist in the conservation program which will be implemented for five years.
