BFAR-Davao to add fish hatcheries

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Davao Region (BFAR-Davao) eyes to add three more fish hatcheries and quality fish seedlings as part of their preparation for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon.

Raul Millana, Bfar-Davao regional director, said the three fish hatcheries are set to be operational in three municipalities in Davao del Norte.

“Tulo ang hatchery, isa sa (We’ll have three new hatcheries, one in) Braulio E. Dujali, isa sa (one in) Carmen (for freshwater hatchery) and isa sa (one in) Igacos [Island Garden City of Samal] (marine hatchery),” Millana said in an interview on May 12.

Millana said they are also securing a private sector partnership with a Taiwan-based company, which would provide fish seedlings for the fisherfolks in Davao Region.

“Posible og mahuman tong dokumento, og dili karong bulana mga next month tingali moabot ang semilya (It is possible if the agreement will be finished, probably this month or next month, the fish seedlings will arrive),” Millana said.

Meanwhile, Millana said El Niño should “not greatly affect” the fisherfolks in the region, however, they are continuing to validate more data if the around 14 hatcheries and around 3,000 fish cages in the region will need further help.

Millana added that the current mandate of Department of Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is to increase fish production by 10 percent.

However, Millana said the fish production so far in Davao Region is more than enough.

“Daghan ta’g mga ma-produce kung mag-fully operationalize jud na [ang mga fish hatcheries] (We will produce more if the additional fish hatcheries will be fully operational),” Millana said.

“As for El Niño, more on adaptation na ta, kung unsa nay nahitabo mag-adapt na ta to the extent na ang panginabuhi nato dili maapektuhan (As for El Niño, we should be in the adaptation stage, we’ll be adapting the changes in our fishing ways, that our livelihood will not be affected),”Millana said. ICE