BFAR to promote aquaculture to save native fish species
TO increase the local production of indigenous freshwater species, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) will actively promote aquaculture.
DA-BFAR Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Director Nestor Domenden said that reviving the population of these indigenous species by breeding them in captivity is harnessing the uniqueness of the country’s natural water ecosystems and biodiversity.
Domenden disclosed that the National Inland Fisheries Technology Center (NIFTC) will be at the forefront of this endeavor, wherein it manages the indigenous freshwater species through sustainable programs and initiatives.
He explained that managing these freshwater species is crucial and necessitates several focused strategies to resolve concerns and problems pertaining to their promotion and protection.
Indigenous freshwater species are an essential component of inland waters and contribute significantly to the environment’s biodiversity. These fishes, however, are among the inland water resources that have experienced a fast decline due to several factors, such as overfishing, declining water quality, siltation, illegal fishing, improper and accidental introduction of non-native species, and climate change.
Domenden added that through the NIFTC’s Indigenous Freshwater Fish Hatchery, the bureau has established breeding techniques for various freshwater fish species due to holistic, innovative, and data-driven research and development.
“Through the NIFTC, we have already developed breeding methods for some of our indigenous freshwater fish species in partnership with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, which I take this opportunity to thank and commend for performing an exceptional job and showing dedication in helping us establish this hatchery area and research facility amidst the challenges of the pandemic,” Domenden said.
He also disclosed that the bureau aims to achieve its goal of carrying out its mandate regarding the country’s fisheries sector. As it gears towards this goal, the DA-BFAR focuses on modernizing fishing, fish farming, and processing equipment and facilities, innovating through the promotion of unconventional production systems, and intensifying existing programs such as mariculture parks and “Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa” (BASIL).
