Thursday, August 05, 2004 Townsfolk oppose import of virus-carrying fish By Joel P. Mapiles
CANDABA -- Koi breeders in this Pampanga town are strongly opposing the importation of koi carp from Japan, believed to carry the "herpes virus" or KHV.
The breeders suspect that imported koi from affected areas outside the country carry the KHV, an incurable condition that has wrought havoc on the global ornamental fish trade.
"These imported koi which carry the virus will pose problems for the koi carp business in the town and in the country," they said.
Internet sources and independent experts said the koi herpes virus disease (KHVD) continues to affect koi-breeding countries except the Philippines.
Sources added that herpes viruses are widespread in animals, which cause sores and chickenpox/shingles. Once contracted, the virus may remain dormant in the nerve tissue until stress triggers the virus to multiply, producing the external symptoms of these illnesses.
Mayor Jerry Pelayo said our country has a fledgling koi breeding industry, like what they have in the swampy areas of this town.
In a letter to Director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar), Pelayo stressed that there is a big opportunity for the local folk to exploit this worldwide crisis.
Pelayo also said they are keen on developing the koi industry which could earn for the country millions of badly needed foreign exchange.
"It would be the height of negligence and lack of vision if we increase the chance of importing the KHVD especially at this point in time," Pelayo said.
Steve Hodisan, a koi expert from Yugoslavia who expressed desire to invest in the koi industry here, noted that it is very difficult to detect the herpes virus and its existence is usually discovered when the affected koi fish is already dead.
Hodisan said this town has the resources to boost its potential in producing koi carp, a multi-million dollar industry that could conquer the world market considering that the Philippines is the only country not affected with the virus.
Pelayo said the people here are very much interested and they are willing to cooperate with the koi experts to make this town become the major producer not only of tilapia but also of koi carp.
(August 5, 2004 issue) Write letter to the editor.Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
Spooked by 'fatigues', man takes kid hostage