APALIT, Pampanga – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Luzon (BFAR-3) has released more than 300,000 tilapia fingerlings along the Pampanga River in Barangay Sulipan here as part of its continuing efforts to revitalize the aquaculture industry.
The move is also in line with the celebration of Fish Conservation Week from September 17-24.
BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz, in an interview on Thursday, said the dispersal early this week was made possible through the "Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa" or BASIL program that aims to repopulate freshwater bodies with non-invasive and indigenous fish species.
“This is to increase productivity and eventually improve the living condition of fisher folks in the province,” he said.
Fishing is the major source of income of some 700 families in this town.
Cruz, meanwhile, asked the fisherfolk to observe safe, proper and environment-friendly fishing practices to ensure that the benefits of water resources are maximized.
“This is through the use of appropriate use of gears, non-use of harmful fishing methods and venturing into possible ways of processing fish catch," he said.
Municipal agriculturist Jessie Cabrera thanked the BFAR for continuously supporting the fishers in this town.
Last year, BFAR dispersed some 500,000 tilapia and 100,000 carp fingerlings along Pampanga River, which is among the major rivers in the country placed under the BASIL program.
BASIL, a five-year project that aims to rehabilitate major inland bodies of water in the country, is a priority project of the Department of Agriculture.
It targets to disperse at least 210 million fingerlings nationwide in major lakes and river basins. (PNA)