Solar power to operate aeration systems for bangus in Pangasinan

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will tap the sun’s power to help fishery stakeholders cope with the super El Niño by providing solar-powered aeration systems for fish cages and ponds.

“This is still in the finalization stage, but we believe this will be a big help during El Nino,” said Isidro Velayo, BFAR assistant director for technical services, during the Third National Bangus Congress last October 14-16 in Clark, Pampanga.

Velayo said the BFAR was still “fixing the mechanism” for the project and that the solar-powered paddle wheels are still in the pilot stage and being enhanced.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Habagat, El Niño may hit farm output despite ample supply

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“The issue is climate change, the reduction of dissolved oxygen, especially at night time, so the additional equipment can help them. But the agency cannot cater to everyone, so we are looking at the  (distribution of projects) by cluster,”  he said.

Velayo said solar-powered aeration will help fishpond and fish cage operators.

Paddle wheels create dissolved oxygen, which fish such as bangus need to survive, by agitating the surface water in aquaculture areas.

Fishpond operators were also advised to deepen ponds because water at lower depths has a more stable temperature. They were also asked to reduce stocking density for the management of pressure on fish’s absorption of dissolved oxygen.

Article continues after this advertisement

To combat the effects of El Niño, Philippine Milkfish Industry Group (PhilMIG) President Alex Soriano said his company stocks 35,000-38,000 fish in cages, down from the usual 50,000.

READ: El Niño affecting 14 regions, agriculture sustains P6.87-B damage

Article continues after this advertisement

But he explained when stocking density is lower, the fish can grow faster. “Our aim is to have 2 to 2.5 culture periods a year,  so our volume of production would stay the same,” Soriano said. 

PhilMIG chair David Villaluz said: “So far there are no known bangus diseases. Our only enemy is fish kill because of oxygen depletion, because of too much stocking and sudden change of climate.”

BFAR Ilocos Region Director Remely Lachica said it is important to adhere to the recommended stocking density and feeding management practices. “Otherwise, we will continue to encounter problems.”

“With the technical interventions being implemented, the challenge now lies with our local government units (LGUs), operators, and growers to ensure that the recommended technologies and practices are properly followed,” she said.

READ: Dy: House boosts farm, fisheries funding in 2027 budget for El Niño

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Villaluz said, “At the end of the day, farmers must earn a decent income. If they cannot make a profit, the entire value chain will suffer. This could put greater pressure on industry partners and ultimately affect food security. We do not want that to happen.”/coa