TACLOBAN CITY – The El Niño phenomenon may have a positive effect on the fishing industry here in the region, so says the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said that due to the warm temperature, fishermen will have more fishing hours that will lead to increase on fish catch.
“Fishermen will have more fishing days and the warm water will make fish approach the shore and shallow area,” he said.
The warm water would result for more plankton that is the main source of food for fish and other marine animals, Albaladejo added.
However, even there is a positive effect of El Niño to the fishing industry, still it may still result to a red tide bloom.
“It’s easy to bloom with very high salinity, then with sudden drizzle and also the temperature that makes it very conducive for plankton growth,” Albaladejo explained.
Albaladejo added that he already made instructions for the personnel of the bureau to conduct active surveillance on bays that were hit by red tide.
BFAR personnel will conduct surveillance and gathering of water and shellfish samples three times a week.
The surveillance covers Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, Villareal Bay, coastal waters of Daram, and San Pedro Bay, all in Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte; and Biliran waters in Biliran province.
Red tide alert is still up in San Pedro Bay and Cancabato Bay as of this week.
Aside from shellfish, the El Niño will also affect fresh water aquaculture like those who are into tilapia cultivation. Excessive heat results for a rapid water evaporation.
“Tilapia growers must ensure that they will have enough and stable water supply,” Albaladejo advices.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
