DIFFUN, Quirino—Efforts get under way for the revival of a water reservoir into a healthy and attractive source of fish products inside the compound of a university here.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Quirino State University in this town will jointly implement the project intended to provide livelihood opportunities among the residents of this town.
The reservoir, which absorbs water running from the drainage canal of the nearby public market, has discouraged any fishing activity for livelihood purposes.
Apple Joy Ursua, project leader of the National Fisheries Enhancement Project, said the rejuvenation process was launched sometime in February last year.
It was subsequently implemented through the NIFEP, a national program that aims to revive inland bodies of water such as lakes and small water impounding projects, as these resources offer potential for fish production and socio-economic advancement.
The one-hectare reservoir was further seeded with 5,000 pieces fingerlings, composed of different carp species and tilapia, during the project launch.
Max Prudencio, BFAR information officer, said that eight months after the project was launched, the school administration headed by QSU president Dr. Samuel Benigno, decided to open the reservoir for fishing.
Entrance fee was pegged at P100.00 per day which will go to the QSUs fund.
“We were informed that we have almost generated P20,000.00 that translate to almost 400kg of fish computed at an average catch of 2 kilograms per person per day,” Prudencio said.
He said that because of the success of the project, BFAR will also implement the same project in Liwan Norte Small Water Impounding Project in Enrile town, Agani SWIP in Alcala town, Bayo Lake in Iguig town and Casili Lake in Tuao town, all of Cagayan province.
Dr. Adelaida Palma, Head of the National Inland Fisheries Technology Center in Tanay, Rizal and NIFEP Project Leader, said that if deteriorating inland bodies of water are revived and stocked accordingly, then the fish production can increase dramatically.
Stocking entails proper matching of the natural food present in the water body to the type of fingerlings to be dispersed.
“In such a way, we can maximize the utilization of natural food present in the different water columns,” Palma added.
