May 6, 2005

Philippines warns fish farmers against antibiotics

The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has warned against the use of antibiotics as fish growth boosters because of the dangers to human health. Growers are also discouraged from feeding cultured fish with chicken offal or entrails as they tend to settle easily, and cause the buildup of poisonous nitrite when decomposing.

Over 30,000 catfish fingerlings were suspected to have died recently from poisoning in Tugbok even though the Bureau had sent out warnings earlier on.