CITY OF SAN FERNANDO The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Luzon has dispersed some 50,000 tilapia fingerlings at Bustos Dam in Bulacan province on Friday, August 26.
This is in line with the bureau's "Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa" or Basil program.
BFAR Central Luzon Director Wilfredo Cruz said the Basil program aims to repopulate the rivers and lakes, as well as dams with fish species, such as tilapia and carp.
Launched in 2017, the BASIL is a five-year project that aims to rehabilitate major inland bodies of water in the country.
"The communal stocking is part of BFAR's continuing effort to revive the aquaculture industry by propagating freshwater fish around the man-made structure. This is one of the interventions that could help increase fish supply in the area, as well as augment the livelihood of the fisherfolk,” he said.
Cruz asked fisherfolk to observe safe, proper, and environment-friendly fishing practices to ensure that the benefits of water resources are maximized.
BFAR Central Luzon also dispersed tilapia and bangus (milkfish) fingerlings, as well as other livelihood support in other parts of the region to ensure sustainable income for fisherfolk and their families.