June 20, 2007

Philippines takes steps to minimise fish mortality

The Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will support local authorities nationwide to train fish cage operators on proper and sustainable feeding techniques.

BFAR will also seek out alternative locations to house fish from congested pens in Pangasinan province where fish mortality rates are high.

BFAR representative Gil Adora explained that congestion in fish cages reduced water quality and dissolved oxygen levels, resulting in the deaths of many fish. Fish cage operators of congested pens heeded BFAR's advice by releasing to the open sea some 200,000 undersized bangus (milkfish) to prevent further fish mortality, Adora said.