Kalap Vol. 10, No. 01, January-June 2009 556kb - Bureau of ...

Vol. 10 No. 01 

KALAP 

A Semestral Newsletter of DA BFAR RO2 January - June 2009 

Alleged Taiwanese poachers apprehended 

anew 

TUGUEGARAO CITY, 

CAGAYAN – Barely a week after 

a Taiwanese fishing boat was 

apprehended off Sta. Ana town, this 

province, another similar vessel has 

been seized by same group of fishery 

law enforcers, this time in Philippine 

seas east of Babuyan Island in the 

Calayan Group of Islands. 

According to Bernardo Apigo, 

team leader of the BFAR patrol boat 

MCS 3005, they were patrolling 

waters north of Luzon on May 15, 

when they spotted through radar the 

presence of an unidentified sea craft. 

Upon establishing visual contact 

with subject vessel, Apigo said that 

they noticed that its crew were then 

busy hauling their tuna long line fishing 

gear. 

Apigo said that upon verification, 

the crew of the vessel, named Ching 

Hong Cherng CT4 – 2006, failed to 

present any document authorizing 

them to fish within Philippine waters. 

The foreign vessel is manned by 

Taiwanese nationals identified as Lin 

Ming Shen (Boat Captain), Chern 

Wen Her, Lin Ming Yueh; Chinese 

crew Li Pen Khon, Li Pen Que and 

Li Kho Kon; and Filipinos Felix 

Sesaldo and Lucrisio Cobilla. 

“The Taiwanese even tried to 

buy some time by meddling with their 

engine systems thus delaying our trip 

to Port Irene, where we have 

brought them for further questioning” 

an exasperated Apigo told this 

reporter. 

(turn to page 8) 

Ching Hong 

Cherng CT4 - 

2006 while 

docked in Port 

Irene, Sta. Ana, 

Cagayan. This 

Taiwanese 

vessel was 

caught by BFAR 

and PCG elements 

near 

Babuyan Island 

north of Luzon. 

BFAR 2 files charges against 

foreign fishers 

TUGUEGARAO 

CITY, CAGAYAN (May 

14) – The fisheries bureau 

in Cagayan Valley 

yesterday filed criminal 

charges against the crew 

of a Taiwanese fishing 

vessel apprehended by 

fishery law enforcers last 

May 12 off Sta. Ana town 

this province. 

The complaint is lodged before 

the Assistant Provincial Prosecutors 

Office in Aparri, Cagayan. 

Charged for violation of Sec. 86 

and 87 of Republic Act 8550 are the 

boat captain identified as Horng 

Shenq Fwu, engineer Lii Jyi Long 

and their Indonesian crew named 

Susanto, Saidin, Riyanto, Sutikno, 

Iswanto, Mohamad Hidayat, Ari 

Hermanto,m Tahyanur, Hasanudin 

and Hadi Warno. 

Tz Fu Tien BJ 4771. 

The apprehension was led by 

LTJG Dino Garcia, commanding 

officer of the BFAR patrol boat 

MCS 3001. 

Garcia said they were a routine 

surveillance mission when they were 

able to pick-up thru radar signal the 

presence of another sea craft 10 

nautical miles from their present 

location. 

The Coast Guard officer said that 

upon verifying the information, they 

(turn to page 9)

2 


CAGAYAN (April 20) – One whale 

shark, a rare type of fish, was rescued 

by local officials and residents in 

Buguey town this province over the 

weekend. 

In a phone interview, Buguey 

Municipal Secretary Arthur Pagador 

said that the whale shark, measuring 

about 7 meters in length and 

weighing about 2 tons was found 

entangled in a beach seine (daklis) 

along the shore of Barangay Centro 

West Saturday morning. 

Pagador said that Buguey 

Acting Town Mayor Licerio 

Antiporda III immediately directed 

the local police to secure the area 

and facilitate release of the trapped 

animal. 

After an hour or so, the whale 

shark, also known as butanding, was 

freed and was able to return towards 

the deeper portions of the sea. 

“It is very fortunate that the 

fishermen made a move to save the 

KALAP January - June 2009 

Whale shark rescued by fisherfolk 


CAGAYAN – The fisheries bureau 

in the region has joined the 

nationwide reforestation project last 

May 29, by spearheading mangrove 

planting activities in the municipalities 

of Claveria and Buguey, this 

province. 

According to BFAR RO2 

Regional Director Jovita Ayson, a 

total of 600 mangrove propagules 

were planted in both municipalities, 

in addition to 300 seedlings earlier 

planted in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya. 

Ayson said that this mangrove 

and upland reforestation project 

dubbed “Puno Ko, Sagip Buhay 

Mo” is one of the highlights of the 

animal instead of kill it”, 

Pagador said. 

Whale shark, 

scientifically known as 

Rhincodon typus is 

listed among the 

prohibited species under 

the Convention on 

International Trade in 

Endangered Species 

Appendix II. 

Sec. 97 of RA 8550 

and Fisheries Administrative Order 

193 prohibits the catching of whale 

sharks and manta rays. Violation to 

the law carries 6 months to 4 years 

imprisonment as penalty. 

Old folks in the coastal areas say 

that whale sharks used to abound in 

great quantities but indiscriminate 

fishing might have drove them off. 

BFAR RO2 Regional Director Jovita 

Ayson said that recent sightings might 

be an indication of the re-emergence 

of whale shark population in 

Cagayan waters. 

Farmers and Fisherfolk Month last 

May. “This project is BFAR’s 

contribution to mitigate effects of 

climate change and global warming 

and at the same time arrest decline 

of mangrove forests in the country,” 

the RD said. 

A total of 50,000 mangrove 

propagules were likewise 

transplanted in Region 4A with 

Atimonan, Quezon as lead area for 

the activity’s kick-off ceremonies. 

Other BFAR regional offices also led 

reforestation activities in their 

respective jurisdiction. 

Already in its third year, the Puno 

Ko, Sagip Buhay Mo project is 

BFAR and fisherfolk’s action to 

Recently, the fisheries bureau in 

the region initiated a briefing among 

members of the Regional Law 

Enforcement Coordinating 

Committee (RLECC 2) Subcommittee 

on Fishing and Marine 

Environmental Protection on the 

proper rescue procedure on stranded 

marine mammals to include whale 

sharks and other rare and threatened 

species, as part of the activities under 

the Region 02 Marine Mammal 

Stranding Network. 

BFAR 2 joins nationwide reforestation project 

revive once vast mangrove forest in 

the country. 

Statistical data reveal that from 

500,000 hectares in 1998, 

mangrove areas shrank to about 

120,500 ha in 1994. 

Aside from being a habitat to 

fishery and other species, mangroves 

also provide services such as coastal 

protection, erosion control, sediment 

stabilization, flood regulation, nutrient 

supply, and regeneration and 

treatment of particulate wastes. 

Reviving mangroves, therefore, 

is imperative to enable man to 

continue deriving benefits from this 

invaluable resource, BFAR said.

KALAP 

January - June 2009 3 

BFAR 2 set to file charge against foreign fishermen 

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN (Jan. 5) – The 

regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 

Resources here will submit tomorrow an administrative 

complaint against the crewmembers of the Taiwanese fishing 

boat (TFB) caught by local police of Itbayat, Batanes last 

month. 

Set to be charged for poaching are Kuh Chen, a Taiwanese 

national and identified boat captain of the TFB CT3-3995, 

and his Chinese crew-members Bun Keu, Ku Hu, Ken Kun 

and Tak Kue. 

According to reports furnished by the Police Regional 

Office here and the Batanes Provincial Fishery Office to BFAR 

RO2, said foreigners were in the act of fishing when they were 

apprehended by SPO1 Gideon de Sagon of the Itbayat Police 

Station together with a team of 6 Bantay Dagat and fishermen 

volunteers last December 4. 

Almost heroic 

In an operation highlighting the country’s utter insufficiency 

of naval assets to patrol maritime borders, the manner by which 

the apprehension was made can be described as almost heroic. 

According to the PNP report and as stated in the affidavit 

signed by de Sagon, the TFB together with other similar 

vessels, were sighted at the vicinity of the country’s 

northernmost municipality of Itbayat, by local fishermen as early 

as Nov. 24. 

Upon receiving such information, PInsp. Edgar Pattaui, 

OIC of Itbayat Police, directed de Sagon to monitor the area 

and confirm the report. 

Earlier, on October 27, a resolution from the Sanggunian 

Bayan of Itbayat was received by the Batanes Police Provincial 

Office, requesting assistance for the conduct of anti-poaching 

operation in view of persistent reports on the presence of 

foreign and illegal fishers within the areas of Itbayat and 

Sabtang, Batanes. 


APPREHENDED FOREIGN FISHING VESSELS. Photos in left 

show foreign fishing vessels apprehended by Batanes PNP 

and civilian volunteers from December 2008 to April 22, 

2009.Said vessels are presently docked at Basco Port, 

Batanes. Its crew consisting of 8 Taiwanese, 2 Chinese and 21 

Vietnamese are under the custody of Batanes PPO, while awaiting 

development of their criminal charges filed before RTC 

Branch 13, Basco, Batanes. BFAR RO2 has also filed administrative 

cases against the crew of said vessels. 

Taiwanese fishing vessel CT3 - 3995 

Vietnamese fishing vessel Q.ng 90127 

Vietnamese fishing vessel Q.ng 95979 

Taiwanese fishing vessel CT2 - 3759

4 

Priest to file charge against dynamite fishers 


CAGAYAN (May 28) – Four 

suspected illegal fishers are bound to 

face a criminal charge after fishes 

found in their possession were 

determined to be caught through 

explosives. 

The suspects, identified as Larry 

Magas and Jomar Lopez with two 

other cohorts, all residents of 

Palanan, Isabela, were apprehended 

by a group of environmental 

protectors while on the act of using 

dynamite while fishing in one of the 

rivers in said town. 

Fr. Samuel Salazar, leader of the 

group and parish priest of Palanan, 

said that they have long been 

conducting surveillance against the 

suspects. 

Fish samples brought for 

examination by Fr. Salazar to the 

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 

Resources here were all found to 

be positively caught through 

dynamite. 

According to the report made by 

Cornelio Sebastian, BFAR senior 


aquaculturist and a fish examiner, the 

fish samples manifested loosening of 

scales and red spots on back of 

pectoral fin. 

Likewise, the fish samples had 

internal manifestations such as 

crushed internal organs, ruptured air 

bladder, broken vertebral column 

and blood clots on flesh. 

Sebastian said that the 

manifestations are proof that the fish 

were caught through explosives. 

Salazar said that he will use the 

report together with the fish samples 

as evidences in the case he will file in 

the court. 

If convicted, the suspects may 

face 5 to 10 years imprisonment for 

violation of Section 88 of RA 8550, 

Sebastian said. 

The parish priest and his group 

of volunteers, all deputized as 

environment and natural resources 

officers (DENRO), disclosed that 

they have likewise apprehended 

illegal loggers and electro fishers in 

their area. 

ARD Severina S. Bueno (2nd from 

right, top photo) leads distribution / 

awarding of 500 thousand fingerlings, 

5 electric sealers andfishing 

gears as BFAR RO2 livelihood assistance 

under the Comprehensive Livelihood 

and Emergency Employment 

Program. Photo taken during the Independence 

Day Celebration in 

CNHS, Tuguegarao City. 

Charges filed 

against illegal 

fishers 


CAGAYAN – The PNP Maritime 

Office in Aparri, Cagayan has filed 

charges against the owners and crew 

of 3 fishing boats it has apprehended 

last March 18 for violation of fishery 

laws. 

According to PO2 Robin 

Guanga, the 2nd Regional Maritime 

Office has filed charges before the 

MCTC and Office of the Provincial 

Prosecutor, both in Aparri, against 

the crew and owners of the 

commercial fishing boats identified as 

F/B Teng Teng, F/B Raf Raf and F/ 

B Dog Monkey for using fine mesh 

nets and ‘active gears’ in violation to 

Sections 89 and 90 of Republic Act 

8550. 

According to Guanga, joint 

elements of the 2nd RMO and 

Macanaya Maritime Police Precinct 

led by SPO2 Amado Gonzalo and 

under the direct supervision of 

PSSupt. Andrei Felix, were on a 

seaborne patrol operation when they 

chanced upon the said fishing boats 

within vicinity of Paddaya, Aparri and 

the neighboring town of Buguey. 

“Actually there were five of them 

but the other two managed to run 

away. The three apprehended boats 

were all found fishing within 10 

kilometers from the shoreline” the 

police officer said. 

The law states that commercial 

fishing boats, defined as boats having 

3 gross tonnage and above, generally 

shall operate beyond municipal 

waters which is 15 kilometers from 

the shoreline. 

If convicted, the respondents 

who are all from Buguey, Cagayan, 

may face 2 to 6 years imprisonment 

(turn to page 11)

January - June 2009 

The KALAP is a bi-annual publication of the Bureau 

of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Region 02 

Carig, Tuguegarao City 

Telefax (078) 864 3661 / 844 5331 

KALAP 

No let-up against poachers In response to this renewed proliferation of foreign 

Following the successive apprehension and 

subsequent issuance of guilty verdict and other penalties 

on a number for foreign fishing vessels (FFVs) and their 

corporate dummies circa 2006 and 2007, everybody 

thought that the age-old poaching problem in region 02 

had died down. 

EDITORIAL 

This seems to be the case 

considering the absence of any 

seizure in most of 2008 despite 

the deployment of BFAR patrol vessels summer of that 

year. 

But old habits, in the case of these poachers, are 

hard to break. 

December last year, the Batanes PPO reported the 

apprehension of a Taiwanese fishing vessel named CT3 

– 3995. This vessel – which was later found to be a 

repeat offender, was apprehended by a policeman from 

the Itbayat municipal police station together with 6 Bantay 

Dagat and fishermen volunteers in municipal waters 

between the islets Siayan & Ditarem in Itbayat, Batanes. 

From that time to April this year, 3 other FFVs were 

seized by authorities in the province. 

A look at the apprehension reports would point to a 

number of similarities: 

• that said vessels were apprehended after a tip 

or information from a concerned citizen 

• that apprehension involved the participation of 

civilian volunteers 

• that apprehending officers often have to disguise 

themselves and employ improvised tactics to 

avoid outright detection by the poachers 

• that all vessels were caught on-the-act and in 

municipal waters 

fishing boats, BFAR leadership immediately deployed 

three of its patrol vessels for anti-poaching operations 

in region 02. Patrol operations by the PCG-manned 

maritime assets would net two Taiwanese fishing vessels. 

All these vessels are now facing appropriate criminal 

and administrative charges. 

An estimate made by BFAR RO2 in 2005 indicates 

that the country incurs an average economic loss of 

37,000 to 75,000 US dollars per foreign fishing vessel 

per year. Beyond this estimated economic loss, poaching 

also cause the displacement of municipal / artisanal 

fisherfolk – one of the most marginalized sectors in our 

country. Five of the six vessels apprehended were caught 

within municipal waters. 

The presence of prohibited and endangered marine 

species among their catch confirm damage wrought on 

the environment and marine habitat. 

It may take some time, if ever, for the country to 

lick this problem. But, it may help if everybody lends a 

helping hand and maximize available resources, as shown 

by the people of Batanes. Dedication displayed by 

officers manning the BFAR patrol vessels likewise, 

deserves commendation. 

High feed prices 

Fishery technicians often encounter a familiar whine 

from fish farmers – nag ngina ti feeds (feed prices are 

exorbitant) Indeed, feed prices have gone up – from 

less than to more than a hundred pesos per 25 kg bag 

from year-ago levels. Price of feeds vary from outlet to 

outlet and from locality to locality. 


Articles and Lay-out : Maximino Prudencio Jr. 

Fisheries Information Section 

Editorial Consultants : BFAR RO2 Top Management 

email address: bfar_ro2@yahoo.com 

5

6 

Recognizing the burden borne by 

fish farmers from high input costs 

particularly feeds, the Bureau of 

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has 

included in its CY 2009 plans the 

widespread promotion of 

duckweeds as supplemental feeds 

for tilapia, bangus, pangasius and 

carp. 

Duckweeds (Lemna spp.) are 

tiny free-floating plants with reported 

crude protein content of 18 – 42 

percent. Earlier study made by the 

bureau’s fish farm in Iguig, Cagayan 

has determined the viability of using 

this rapidly-reproducing plant as 

alternative diet without adverse effect 

on the growth of tilapia. 

Said study has determined 

optimum feeding mixture at 50 

percent fresh duckweeds and 50 

percent commercial feeds. The 

feeding combination even achieved 

higher growth rate compared to the 

treatment that used pure commercial 

feeds. 

On monetary terms, a 1,000 

square meter semi-intensive 

fishpond using this feed combination 

can easily cut feed expenses by more 

than 10 thousand pesos (20+ bags) 

on 1 culture cycle (4 to 5 months) or 

more than 100 thousand pesos for 1 

hectare. 

“Considering that costs of 

commercial feeds have risen by less 

than 10 percent to 25 percent based 

on 2008 figures, while retail price of 

tilapia had remained constant, the 

50% savings will certainly mean a lot. 

Duckweeds will also help us address 

dependence on imported corn as 


BFAR 2 outlines plans for ’09 

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN – Fisherfolk in 

Cagayan Valley can expect higher profitability for the coming 

months as the fisheries bureau in the region has targeted the 

introduction of several cost-reduction and productivity 

enhancement technologies for 2009. 

raw material for feeds which is 

currently around 90 percent of total 

national requirement,” BFAR RO2 

Regional Director Jovita Ayson said. 

As targeted during the Planning 

Workshop with LGUs last Feb. 3 & 

4 in Aparri, Cagayan, BFAR RO2 

will establish 10 duckweed demo 

sites for the whole region. 

Other aquaculture technologies 

to be introduced or promoted are: 

Polyculture – defined as the 

scientific process of raising two or 

more non-competing fishery species 

in single / common culture system, 

polyculture can potentially raise 

farmer’s income through the optimum 

utilization of inputs and culture area. 

Last year’s polyculture projects 

of BFAR RO2, involving the 

combination of ulang 

(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)– 

tilapia–carp and tilapia–common 

carp–African catfish, had achieved 

93 & 58 percent additional net 

income compared to pure semiintensive 

tilapia farming. 

Pangasius culture – a fast 

growing and hardy fish, pangasius 

has been proven to be feasible under 

fishpond, fish cage and organic 

culture systems in region 02 

conditions. 

To address main constraint 

which is the inadequate supply of 

fingerlings, BFAR RO2 will establish 

a hatchery at its station in San Mateo, 

Isabela. The bureau together with the 

Office of Provincial Agriculturist - 

Cagayan had also proposed to the 

agriculture department the 

construction of a pangasius hatchery 

at the OPA facility in Bantay, 

Camalaniugan. 

Other aquaculture technologies 

to be introduced are urban, upland 

and mangrove aquaculture, and 45days 

delayed feeding technology. 

The agency will also introduce culture 

of high value species such as 

abalone, sea urchin, mud crab, and 

sea urchin. 

To support its flagship fingerling 

production and dispersal program, 

Ayson bared the rationalization of 6 

BFAR fish farms in the region with 

the aim to maximize utilization of area 

and hence, increase fingerling 

production. 

The agency has targeted the 

production of 12.29 million 

fingerlings and 1 million oyster spats 

this year as measure to increase 

dispersal to its LGU and fish farmer 

clientele in the region. 

On the coastal and marine front, 

the fisheries bureau will distribute 

environment friendly fishing gears 

such as fish trap, troll line, long line 

and gill nets in addition to the 

implementation of regulatory 

activities. BFAR will also continue 

with its widespread distribution and 

installation of fish aggregating 

devices or ‘payao’. 

Ayson said that the interventions 

will help address ongoing economic 

crisis and will enable the region 

achieve 66,400 MT production for 

2009 or an increment of 7 percent. 

2008 fisheries production level 

in region 02 stands at 62,057.96 

MT which corresponds to 56.49 

percent fish sufficiency level.

KALAP 


First in region 02 

Giant clam garden established in Sta. Ana 

STA. ANA, CAGAYAN – The 

booming tourism and fishery industry 

in this town is expected to expand 

further as government and private 

agencies established here last 

Thursday a marine ecosystem 

enhancement effort dubbed as 

‘Reeforestation Project.’ 

An amalgamation of the words 

‘reef’ and ‘forest’, ‘reeforestation’ 

entailed the seeding or placement of 

giant clams in pre-identified microsites 

about 10 feet underwater and 

enhanced with coral transplantation 

to form an underwater scenic spot 

called a clam garden. 

The giant clam garden was 

established near Palaui island, a 

fifteen minute boat ride from the San 

Vicente port here. 

A very first project of such type 

in region 02, ‘reeforestation’ is 

intended to increase fish population 

and the same time offer a unique 

attraction for tourists. 

The project is a joint undertaking 

of the Cagayan Economic Zone 

Authority, Department of Tourism, 

Department of Environment and 

Natural Resources, Bureau of 

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 

Philippine Navy and nongovernment 

organizations. 

“The clam garden will function 

as a habitat as the transplanted 

corals and algae 

and corals that will 

grow on the shells 

of the giant clams 

will attract other 

marine species. 

Also, there will be 

an increase in fish 

population as 

p r o j e c t 

beneficiaries learn 

to protect the site,” 

Louie Mencias, 

president of the 

Marine Ecosystem 

Council and head 

project implementer said. 

Around 125 pieces giant clams 

belonging to three different species 

(Tridacna squamosa, T. crossea, 

and T. maxima) were tagged and 

‘embedded’ in the micro sites in 

clusters of 10 to 30 pieces per hill. 

Broken coral fragments were 

likewise gathered from nearby the 

site and attached to steel rods or any 

substrate to form the coral garden. 

The clam seeds were gathered 

by volunteer divers from nearby 

areas. 

Mencias said that having giant 

clams relatively close with one 

another will also facilitate 

reproduction as these giant mollusks, 

the biggest in the world, are known 

as “free spawners.” 

That is, mature 

Giant clams being tagged prior to seeding (bottom 

photos). 

individuals simultaneously secrete 

eggs and sperm (gametes) after 

which “chance encounter” will occur 

in open water. 

Meanwhile, Department of 

Tourism Regional Director Blessida 

Diwa said that the project exemplifies 

the “vacation – volunteer” approach 

of their agency. 

“Tourists will learn more about 

the environment when they visit this 

project, which hopefully will inspire 

them to work towards its 

protection,” Diwa said. 

Already, a lodging inn owner, 

Trevor John Taylor, says that the 

project can be of great help in the 

local tourism industry, adding 

however, that tourists and residents 

alike “need to be more concerned 

with the environment in order to 

ensure sustainability.” 

Taylor, an expatriate from the 

UK, said that he plans to diversify 

into whale watching in the near 

future. 

Sta. Ana is dubbed as the “game 

fishing capital” of the country and is 

also the site of the Cagayan Special 

Economic Zone.

8 

Fish culture made possible in upland areas 

STA. FE, NUEVA VIZCAYA – 

Well known for its native handicrafts 

and upland veggies, this landlocked 

and mountainous province, may soon 

add fish to its array of indigenous 

products. 

According to Dr. Jovita Ayson, 

regional director of the fisheries 

bureau in Cagayan Valley, Nueva 

Vizcaya’s topography and climate – 

similar to the country’s Summer 

Capital, is not a hindrance for the 

large scale production of fish. 

Ayson made the comment during 

the launching of the fish condominium, 

a component of the ‘Fish for Upland 

Dwellers’ project here last March 

12. The project is part of the priority 

thrusts under BFAR Director 

Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. 

“This demo project shall help us 

create income opportunities for fish 

farmers. It will also enable us to 

address nutritional needs of our 

constituents, as according to the 

DOH, upland dwellers are prone to 

fish protein deficiency,” RD Ayson 

said. 

This innovative fish culture 

project entails use of recycled metal 

drums opened and welded on end 

to form a chamber where fish can 

be cultured. 

One module consists of 9 such 

chambers laid out in horizontal 

manner and stacked in 3 tiers with 

angle bars as frame. 

According to Dominador 

Abalos, the project, stocked with 

3,000 pieces African hito fingerlings, 

can produce approximately 1,000 

kilos of fish after 6 months culture 

period. Projected net income is 

50,000 pesos with farm gate price 

of 110 pesos. Feed cost is 40,000 

pesos while depreciation cost of the 

structure 9,200 pesos per year. 

The number of fish stocked per 


chamber ranges from 300 to 400 

pieces. This is to enable the 

implementors to determine the 

optimal stocking density of fish in 

such culture system. 

A salient feature of the project is 

its use of the free-flowing water from 

mountain streams. Outlets of this 

free-flowing water can be seen on 

the roadside when one traverses the 

Maharlika highway here. 

“Unlike other fish culture 

technologies having high stocking 

density and limited space, our 

project does not use energyconsuming 

aerators and water pumps 

to maintain water quality, thanks to 

the year-round water from the 

mountains,” the project leader said. 

“Nueva Vizcaya’s mountainous 

feature makes it very difficult and 

expensive to construct fishponds, 

particularly in the highlands. This 

technology allows us to culture fish 

in constrained and marginal areas.” 

Abalos said that potential 

production from the project is almost 

equal to a 1,000 square meter 

fishpond. He added that the 

technology can also be applied in 

urban areas. 

Abalos added that cost of the 

structure can be eliminated by 

arranging the drums in a cascading 

manner such that it rest on and 

follows the sloping contour of the 

land. 

Sta. Fe Mayor Florante Gerdan 

expressed his support and 

appreciation of the project during the 

launching activity which was held in 

line with the celebration of the 14 th 

Kalanguya Festival and Sta. Fe town 

fiesta. 

To maximize exposure of the 

technology, BFAR RO2 has 

allocated one similar module for 

Diadi town this province. 

Alleged Taiwanese 

poachers apprehended 

anew 

(from page 1) 

Earlier, another Taiwanese fishing 

vessel Tz Fu Tien BJ 4771 was 

apprehended by elements of the 

Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau 

of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 

aboard MCS 3001, within municipal 

waters east of Sta. Ana. 

Crew of both vessels are now 

facing criminal complaint before the 

Assistant Provincial Prosecutors 

Office in Aparri, Cagayan for illegal 

fishing and poaching in violation to 

Sections 86 and 87 of the Philippine 

Fisheries Code of 1998, Republic 

Act 8550. 

Tz Fu Tien is manned by 

Taiwanese nationals named Horng 

Shenq Fwu (boat captain), Lii Jyi 

Long and their Indonesian crew 

identified as Susanto, Saidin, 

Riyanto, Sutikno, Iswanto, 

Mohamad Hidayat, Ari Hermanto, 

Tahyanur, Hasanudin and Hadi 

Warno. 

The vessels are currently docked 

at Port Irene in Sta. Ana where its 

crew are detained under custody of 

BFAR and PCG while awaiting 

further development of their case. 

Assorted fishes mostly yellow fin 

tuna, sharks (de-finned) and dolphin 

fish (dorado) have been found in both 

vessels. 

“Just like this latest vessel, Tz Fu 

Tien was also caught inflagrante 

delicto or on-the-act,” BFAR 

Regional Director in Cagayan Valley 

Jovita Ayson said, adding that the 

fisheries agency will also file separate 

administrative charges against both 

vessels. . 

Three BFAR patrol boats are 

currently in region 02 to conduct 

anti-poaching operations upon 

orders from BFAR National Director 

Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr.

KALAP 


BFAR 2 files charges 

against foreign fishers 

(from page 1) 

noticed that the vessel, bearing side 

marking BJ 4771, had the 

appearance of a typical Taiwanese 

fishing boat. Garcia said that the 

foreigners were busy hauling their 

tuna long line fishing gear at the time 

of apprehension. 

Upon verification, the Garcia 

said that the foreign fishers presented 

papers indicating that their vessel, 

named TZ Fu Tien, is registered in 

Taiwan. While the crew were able 

to present Certificate of 

Accreditation from BFAR, the 

document is only for fish 

transshipment purposes and is not in 

any way a fishing license authorizing 

them to fish within Philippine 

territorial waters. 

An inventory on the vessel 

conducted by BFAR officers, 

revealed the presence of frozen fishes 

mainly yellow fin tuna, sharks (definned) 

and dolphin fish (dorado) 

estimated at more than 2 metric tons. 

The foreign fishers were charged 

with poaching (Sec. 87) and illegal 

fishing (Sec. 86) as their place of 

apprehension indicated that they 

were within municipal waters. The 

foreign fishing vessel was 

apprehended 4.66 kilometers east of 

Maloncon Island, Sta. Ana. 

The respondents are at present 

detained in their vessel under the 

custody of PCG and BFAR officers 

in Port Irene, Sta. Ana. 

BFAR RO2 Regional Director 

Jovita Ayson said that her office will 

also file separate administrative 

charge against the foreigners. 

Meanwhile, another BFAR 

patrol boat, MCS 3005, has also 

apprehended one local commercial 

fishing boat (buli –buli) off Gonzaga, 

Cagayan for operating within 

municipal waters. The owners were 

fined with 10,000 pesos. 

On November 25, de Sagon 

then proceeded to Siayan islet, 

which is almost an hour boat ride from 

the Itbayat town proper, together 

with the volunteers disguised as 

ordinary fishermen. There they saw 

five foreign fishing vessels (FFVs) on 

the act of fishing more or less 100 

meters from the shorelines of Siayan 

and its neighboring islet of Ditarem. 

The team then stayed on for few 

more days at the islets to conduct 

surveillance. 

On Dec. 4, the same team, 

onboard a privately owned 

motorized banca, conducted a 

seaborne operation, again under their 

guise as fishermen. 

Upon nearing one of the FFVs, 

the undercover team purposely 

offered to barter animals particularly 

goat, in exchange for some of their 

fish catch. Upon confirming presence 

of illegal catch, de Sagon then 

identified himself as police and 

together with other members of his 

team, made the apprehension. 

CT3-3995 is now at the custody 

of Batanes Police Provincial Office 

and docked at Basco port. Its crew 

are also under the custody of Batanes 

PPO and are facing criminal charges 

for violation of Sec. 87 “Poaching in 

Philippine Waters” of RA 8550, 

BFAR RO2 fish 

processing 

expert 

Proserfina 

Reyno (right) 

demonstrates 

value adding 

techniques 

among members 

of women 

groups in 

Dinapigue, 

Isabela March 

16 & 17. 

BFAR 2 set to file charge against foreign fishermen 

(from page 3) 

before the Batanes Provincial 

Prosecutors Office. 

In May 2007, local police of 

Sabtang, Batanes made a similar 

apprehension on a Vietnamese 

fishing vessel employing improvised 

tactics. The Vietnamese vessel, 

identified as Qng 5770, sank while 

docked at Basco Port, Batanes while 

its crew were sentenced to 1 year 

imprisonment. 

Also, region 2 witnessed the 

imposition of administrative penalty 

amounting 230 thousand USD 

against 4 TFBs seized last 2006 & 

2007. 

While fishery law enforcers in the 

Cagayan Valley Region, most 

notably elements of the Philippine 

Coast Guard and BFAR using 

BFAR Patrol Boats, has had several 

high profile apprehensions the 

previous years, CT3-3995 

represents the only seizure made for 

2008. 

Apparently, BFAR RO2 

Regional Director Jovita Ayson, said 

that the foreign fishers had learned 

to avoid usual patrol schedules. Cost 

of operation hinders the government 

to implement year-round patrols, she 

said. The administrative complaint 

will be filed before the BFAR Central 

Office.

10 


CAGAYAN – Marine fishes usually 

are aplenty during the onset of 

summer months. 

But before fishermen rush their 

catch to the wet markets or before 

housekeepers gut their fish for the 

dining table, the Bureau of Fisheries 

and Aquatic Resources here has an 

appeal – “We are calling on our 

fishermen and the consuming public 

to surrender to BFAR or the LGUs, 

any tag found in fishes particularly 

bigeye, skipjack, or yellowfin tuna, 

& other marine fishes, as these are 

part of scientific studies,” BFAR 

RO2 Regional Director Jovita Ayson 

said. 

Said tuna species are locally 

known as tangi or tambakul. 

Ayson said that 3 multi-national 

fish tagging projects are currently 

underway, with the country as 

member-participant. 

One of which is the Tuna Tagging 

in the Western and Central Pacific 

project spearheaded by the Oceanic 

Fisheries Programme under the 

Secretariat of the Pacific Community 

based in New Caledonia and funded 

by the Western and Central Pacific 

Fisheries Commission. 

This tagging project and two 

other similar activities are led in the 

country by the National Fisheries 

Research and Development Institute. 

According to the OFP, the tuna 

tagging project will “provide better 

information on fishery exploitation 

rates and population sizes in the 

Western and Central Pacific. Data 

to be gathered will allow the 

improvement of regional stock 

assessment for the 3 species.” 

The tuna tagging project carries 

a 10 US dollar reward for yellow 

tag, 50 dollars for green tag and 250 


Please return fish tags - BFAR 

Marine fish species tracking projects underway 

dollars for orange tag. The latter two 

have accompanying devices inserted 

on the body cavity of the fish (near 

abdomen). The tag on the other hand 

is attached on the back of the fish 

near the second dorsal fin. 

Recently, one fisherman identified 

as Rodrigo Dayaca from Camiguin 

Island in the municipality of Calayan, 

this province, was awarded by the 

fisheries bureau 900 pesos as reward 

for surrendering a tagged yellowfin 

tuna caught along the dormant 

Didicas island-volcano. 

This tagged tuna however, came 

from a similar project being 

conducted by the National Research 

Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, 

Fisheries Research Agency, Japan. 

The fish measured 76 

centimeters and weighed 6.7 

kilograms. 

Data from the NFRDI showed 

that the fish bearing two yellow tags 

numbered F1131 & F1132 was 

released in southern Japan April last 

year with initial body length of 41 

centimeters. 

The OFP calls on anyone who 

takes hold of a tuna with tag to 

record its fork length (upper jaw to 

the fork in the tail), and date and 

place of recapture. The OFP also 

said that extra care must be observed 

in handling the inserted devices. 

Small pelagics 

Apart from the tuna tagging 

projects, a similar species tracking 

effort is also being undertaken by the 

Southeast Asian Fisheries 

Development Center involving small 

pelagics particularly alumahan 

(Japanese mackerel), hasa-hasa 

(short-bodied mackerel, Indian 

mackerel), and galunggong (round 

scad). 

Aside from the Philippines, other 

participating countries are Brunei, 

Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, 

Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar. 

According to the NFRDI, 2,400 

pieces of said fish species were 

tagged per country-participant and 

released at predetermined area. The 

agency said that result of this study 

will serve as reference in coming up 

with comprehensive plan towards the 

conservation of the fish species. 

This project carries 5 US dollar 

reward per tag recovered and 

returned. 

BFAR RO2 Regional Director Jovita Ayson and Research staff Maureen 

Aragon inspect tagged tuna from Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

KALAP 


BFAR project to revive local fish cage industry 

STA. TERESITA, CAGAYAN 

(May 25) – The fisheries bureau in 

region 02 has awarded last Friday a 

marine fish cage livelihood project to 

fisherfolk here, in a bid to revitalize 

the fish cage industry in this 

municipality. 

Awarded to the Sta. Teresita 

Fisherfolk Association is a G.I. pipe 

marine fish cage measuring 5.4 

meters by 10 meters by 2.5 meters 

with 4,500 pieces bangus fingerlings 

as stock plus complete feed 

requirement for the entire 4-month 

culture period. 

“This project shall serve as show 

window on the technology and 

profitability of marine cages, which 

hopefully, will bring back the once 

booming fish cage industry in the 

area,” BFAR RO2 Project Leader 

Elpidio Palattao, said. 

According to Ceferino Tabaco, 

a member of the association, marine 

fish cages were once popular here, 

but after a series of drawbacks, the 

Charges filed against 

illegal fishers 

(from page 4) 

and / or fine of 2,000 to 20,000 

pesos plus confiscation of fish catch. 

Dr. Jovita Ayson, regional 

director of the fisheries bureau in 

Cagayan Valley, said that the use of 

tom weight makes the operation of 

said fishing boats in municipal waters 

all the more destructive. The said 

fishing boats use a fishing gear locally 

known as ‘buli-buli’. 

The apprehended boats are 

currently under custody of the 2 nd 

RMO in Aparri. The maritime police 

office has so far apprehended 6 such 

boats this year. 

A marine fish cage 

industry gradually disappeared. 

“Marine fish cages became 

popular sometime in the year 2000 

upon establishment of a similar demo 

project then by BFAR. Back then, I 

used to earn 2,500 pesos making net 

cages for other people. However, its 

unabated proliferation led to water 

pollution that eventually caused the 

death of the industry,” Tabaco, also 

a former fish cage operator, said. 

“Our stocks became sickly and 

no matter what medication we try to 

administer, they were unable to 

recover,” Tabaco added. 

According to Agnes Gervacio, 

municipal agriculturist, the LGU has 

already set in place an ordinance 

intended to zonify and regulate the 

establishment of fish cages in the 

municipality. 

Gervacio added that the collapse 

of the industry can also be attributed 

to successive typhoons that visited 

their area back then. 

The present BFAR project is 

expected to earn seventeen thousand 

pesos net income after 4 months 

culture period from production cost 

of forty-five thousand pesos. 

Proceeds and the marine cage 

structure shall be awarded to the 

fisherfolk association after project 

completion as livelihood assistance. 

Aside from bangus, the cage can 

also be stocked with other marine 

water species such as talakitok, 

siganid, snapper, grouper and prawn. 

Saline tolerant tilapia can also be 

stocked especially during rainy 

season when water salinity is lower. 

Bureau of Fire Protection - Emergency Medical Services personnel and 

volunteers, led by Dr. Roderick Ramirez (right) conducts first-aid demonstration 

before BFAR RO2 staff, February 16. The BFP group also held same 

demonstration to BFAR RO2 fish farms and facilities. The group also rendered 

medical mission at Calayan, Cagayan in line with annual technology 

caravan of the Bureau.

12 

A P A R R I , 

CAGAYAN – Like a 

magical well, it has 

brought wealth to those 

who have drawn from 

it. 

But no, this is not 

some fantasy riches 

from fairy land, but a 

fishery resource locally 

known as aramang. 

Aramang or 

Nematopalaemon sp 

in scientific parlance is 

an endemic species in this coastal 

town at the northern edge of Luzon. 

It thrives at the estuarine area of the 

mighty Cagayan River. 

Ricardo Umoso, a long time and 

multi-awarded model fisherman, said 

that he was able to send seven of his 

kids and relatives through college 

with the bounty from aramang alone. 

Umoso, vice chair of the 

Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic 

Resource Management Council, 

owns two of estimated 60 bannuars 

used in catching aramang or softshelled 

shrimp. The municipality also 

list about 80 smaller boats known as 

‘single-an’ as aramang gatherers. 

Hundreds more are employed in 

ancillary industries such as 

processing, drying, and trading. 

Although this fishery resource has 

been present since “time 

immemorial” as Municipal 

Agriculture Officer Alice Sebastian 

said, only in the latter part of the last 

century has this been gathered in 

commercial scale. 

Data from the Bureau of 

Agricultural Statistics indicates 

aramang production at a record 

4,160 metric tons in 2008. But, 

production were not always this 

good. There was a time when 

Aparrianos nearly lost this resource. 


Unwritten agreement helps in resource conservation 

Production in 1989 to 1993 

plummeted drastically due to 

indiscriminate gathering. 

Gentlemen’s agreement 

Alarmed by the sharp decline, 

aramang gatherers met and forged 

among themselves a ‘gentleman’s 

agreement’. This unwritten but 

surprisingly binding rule outlines a 

five-point measure that the gatherers 

followed to stem the decline and 

prevent abuse in the future. The 

agreement states that: 

• Gathering is allowed only 

during daytime from 5AM 

to 3PM, good weather 

and when aramang are not 

gravid 

• 5 to 7 days harvest period 

with about 15 days as gap 

between periods 

• A meeting among 

gatherers be conducted 

first before a gathering 

period to set price and 

estimate demand 

Open season is from April to 

January. Gathering ban is signified 

when a green flag is raised in Brgy. 

Punta, near the river mouth here. 

Umoso said that with the 

enforcement of the agreement, 

not been threatened since 

then. 

Bannuar is actually a 

fishing outfit that refers to 

both the boat and the 

fishing gear. It is basically 

a drift filter net attached to 

two wooden poles fixed at 

the aft and fore starboard 

of the wooden boat which 

drifts with the current. 

Depth reached by the gear 

is about 10 to 12 meters. 

One bannuar boat 

entails a crew of around 15 

fishermen. The high number of crew 

is needed to counterbalance the boat 

and prevent it from tilting to one side 

and rolling over when there is 

abundant catch. 

In 2000, the LGU submitted a 

request thru the Bureau of Fisheries 

and Aquatic Resources, for the 

exemption of bannuar among those 

banned active gears under a 

Fisheries Administrative Order being 

promulgated then by the Department 

of Agriculture, on grounds that use 

of smaller boats (less than 3 gross 

tons) are unsafe and imperils lives of 

fisherfolk. 

Subsequent FAO issued has 

excluded bannuar as among those 

banned fishing gears. 

Umoso estimates production of 

one bannuar at 50 cans in one good 

day of operation. Expenses to cover 

gas and food provisions per 5-day 

fishing trip is around P 13,000.00. 

Catch is usually divided into 26 

shares wherein 7 or 8 goes to the 

boat owner, 2 or 3 as extra, and one 

share each for the crew. 

Current price is 300 to 370 

pesos per 1 cooking oil can (14 kg). 

The fisherfolk prefer to dry the 

aramang than sell it fresh specially 

aramang stocks rebounded and has (turn to next page)

KALAP 


Unwritten.. 

(from page 12) 

during sunny weather. Some would 

even transport fresh catch all the way 

to Ilocos Norte for sun drying in times 

of inclement weather condition. 

While there are also a number 

of shrimp paste (bagoong) 

processors here, fresh aramang are 

also shipped to Pangasinan for same 

purpose. 

One big-time trader Zenaida 

dela Cruz of Brgy. Punta said that a 

kilo of dried aramang costs 150 

pesos, with 20 pesos as mark-up 

when transported to Manila and 

other places. 

Dela Cruz has six regular 

employees and transports about 

2,000 kilos dried aramang three 

times per month to Manila. Class A 

she said, goes to Japanese importers 

while Class B goes to local shrimp 

cracker processors. MA Sebastian 

said that there also buyers from 

Taiwan and Korea. 

A 7-year dried and fresh fish and 

aramang dealer, Dela Cruz happily 

revealed that she was able to build a 

nice concrete house, purchase 1 

Forward cargo truck and was able 

to send her kids to school with 

income from her trade alone. 

Umoso longs for the day when 

1 can fresh soft-shelled shrimp 

reached one thousand pesos. This 

was when there were a lot of 

importers, he said. 

Researches 

Being an indispensable resource, 

aramang has not escaped the eye of 

researchers at the Cagayan State 

University – Aparri. College of 

Fisheries and Marine Sciences Prof. 

Meliton Soriano said that a study on 

the Reproductive Biology of 

Aramang is set for completion on 

October this year. 

Soriano also said that two 

proposals entitled Development 

Program Study on Aramang and 

Post-harvest Technology on 

Aramang are currently being 

deliberated. 

Earlier, the CSU Aparri under 

Prof. Teresa Domingo has produced 

technology on the preparation of 

‘aramang cake’ a storable condiment 

like bagoong cubes. 

The MAO’s office also 

disseminates various aramang 

processing technologies to women’s 

organizations. 

Eye for the export market 

Aside from being exported as 

raw material, Aparri may soon see 

its invaluable resource hit the foreign 

market in processed form. 

This is courtesy of Crizelda 

Alzaga, restaurateur, who has 

succeeded in processing aramang 

into various products such as Shrimp 

Seasoning, Shrimp Paste (sweet, 

salted, spicy), Burong Alamang, 

Dried / Powdered Alamang, alamang 

noodles and many others. 

Alzaga’s products carries the 

brand name Crizelda’s. 

A Department of Trade and 

Industry and Department of Science 

and Technology assisted project, 

Alzaga’s year-old aramang 

processing venture currently caters 

to the market in the region. Alzaga 

however said that she will soon ship 

products to the big malls in Manila. 

The owner of the popular Crizelda’s 

Crizelda Alzaga, 

owner of popular 

Crizelda’s Food 

House in Aparri, 

Cagayan, poses 

before her processed 

aramang 

products. 

Foodhouse here also disclosed that 

she has received queries from 

importers during the recent IFEX 

event at SM Mall of Asia. 

DTI assisted in sourcing out fund 

for her initial capital and in market 

promotion, while DOST provided 

the processing and packaging 

technology. Alzaga said that a delivery 

van is due to arrive as part of her 

loan acquired from the Development 

Bank of the Philippines. 

Alzaga also said the One – Town 

One – Product (OTOP) program of 

the LGU also helps, aramang being 

its primary product. 

“The export market will 

altogether be a different story since 

volume discussed were in metric 

tons,” Alzaga happily disclosed. 

“Thankfully we have fresh and 

abundant raw material,” she added. 

Alzaga said that she is presently 

studying the stringent requirements of 

the export market and from thence 

she will have her move. 

As a tribute to the huge benefits 

that the residents had derived from 

this resource, the municipality 

celebrates the 2 nd Aramang Festival 

in time with its town fiesta this May 

1 to 11. 

Should Alzaga’s export venture 

materialize, Aparrianos may soon 

draw added income from their magic 

resource, thanks to a gentlemen’s 

agreement. (max prudencio BFAR 

RO2)

14 

EDITORIAL 

from page 05 

Price of feeds is largely 

influenced by price of imported 

ingredients such as fish meal. Also a 

huge factor, in the case of region 02, 

is distribution / transport costs, given 

the absence of commercial feed mill 

in the region. 

Given general and substantial 

increase in feed prices, we may ask 

– what now will happen to the profit 

margin of fish farmers? 

A similar check at the retail price 

of farmed fish particularly tilapia 

would reveal minimal or no 

movement at all. Live tilapia (which 

is the top cultured food fish in region 

02) still sells at 85 to 90 per kilo. 

Considering inflation, we can 

infer that real price of tilapia may 

have gone down. 

Without corresponding price 

increase in tilapia, we can conclude 

that the profit margin on the part of 

producers and wholesalers / retailers, 

have gone down. Considering their 

risks on marketing, it is unlikely that 

traders are willing to incur an 

unacceptable cut on their margin and 

absorb an increase on the farm gate 

price. On the other hand, producers 

who prefer to sell their product at 

the wholesale market are dependent 

upon brokers who dictate buying 

price. 

Profits can be less if a fish farmer 

happen to be a ‘contract grower’ for 

a financier. 

A doctorate study (2005) done 

by ARD Bueno indicate that most 

(65.5 %) tilapia farmers in region 02 

prefer to unload their produce to 

through intermediaries, perhaps 

because this practice frees them 

from the burden of marketing. 

Producers and retailers can not 

just increase their prices as tilapia is 

in direct competition with marine 


fishes, other farmed fishes like 

bangus and other food commodities. 

The situation above indicate that 

farmers’ margin had gone down. In 

fact, high production cost would 

often cause ‘insufferable loss’ if 

farmer would not succeed on a 

cropping cycle and would force him 

to cease operation. 

This leads us to another question 

– what then can be done to ensure 

viability and profitability of fish 

farmers and at the same time maintain 

affordability and availability of tilapia 

as protein source? 

Per BAS report for 2008, tilapia 

accounts nearly a fourth (24%) of the 

total fishery production in region 02. 

It is ever present in upstream and 

landlocked municipalities and 

likewise dominates the wet markets 

in the coastal areas in times of 

inclement weather when fishermen 

can not venture to sea. 

In as much as high inflation has 

eased and oil prices are now back 

to ‘affordable level’, it should be high 

time to see a corresponding roll back 

in feed prices. Sadly, this is not the 

case. 

Are we now witnessing a similar 

situation with the pharmaceutical 

industry where allegedly drug makers 

and their distributors instruct retailers 

to price medicine “as high as the 

market can tolerate?” 

Some years back, backyard 

piggeries were common in rural and 

even urban areas. Suddenly, there 

was a sharp price increase in hog 

feeds. This led most backyard raisers 

to cease operation, which in turn 

resulted to a drastic reduction in pork 

supply and a sharp increase in its 

price. Since then, pork prices 

remained high and out of reach of 

ordinary citizens. 

If current trend on the increase 

on the prices of commercial fish 

feeds continue, we might witness a 

similar situation. Effects of which 

could be very drastic – increase in 

tilapia price beyond reach of Juan 

dela Cruz, displacement of backyard 

/ small-time raisers, and partial 

collapse of ancillary industries 

(hatcheries etc.) and marketing 

networks. 

The lack of commercial feed mill 

in region 02 contributes to the high 

feed prices as distributors have to 

factor in transportation costs. Maybe 

it is high time that stakeholders look 

into the establishment of a feed mill 

in the region. 

Meanwhile, producers can 

increase feed efficiency as way to cut 

on production cost by ensuring 

growth of natural food through pond 

fertilization. According to technical 

personnel of BFAR RO2, feeds 

account for 80% of production cost 

of tilapia in region 02. Basic 

requirement such as proper pond 

preparation, feeding and stocking 

density should be followed to ensure 

good growth of stocks and thus, 

maximum profit. Farmers should also 

be always on the look-out and learn 

to pre-empt negative effects of 

calamities such as flood, drought and 

typhoon. 

On the marketing side, 

producers can bypass marketing 

layers and directly sell their produce 

to consumers to ensure maximum 

profits – although this will have some 

risks if not planned and implemented 

properly. 

The bureau also has available 

technologies like 45-days delayed 

feeding, polyculture, and use of 

duckweeds as supplemental feeds, 

as ways to cut on feed costs, 

increase profitability and 

productivity. BFAR likewise, 

disseminates processing technologies 

as way to add value when using 

tilapia as raw material.

KALAP 


Let’s process seaweeds 

Seaweeds are rich in protein, vitamins and mineral contents. Green and red algae are rich in protein. They are also rich 

in Vitamins A, B, C and E. Vitamins A, B and B occurring in many seaweeds exceed in qualities than those occurring in 

12 

other vegetable and animal matter. Seaweeds have also numerous medicinal uses. So get healthy now… try the seaweed 

processing techniques below: 

Seaweed pickle 

Ingredients: 

500 g fresh guraman (Gracilaria) 

100 g bell pepper 

250 g onion (sliced?) 

500 g white or brown sugar 

500 g carrots 

250 g raisins 

3 pcs sliced pineapple 

6 cloves garlic 

0.5 liter vinegar 

1 tbsp salt 

1/4 cup sliced ginger 

Procedure: 

1. Clean the fresh seaweeds 

2. Wash thoroughly with water to 

remove impurities 

3. Cut seaweed into manageable size 

4. Blanch with boiled water for 1 

minute then drain 

5. Mix all other ingredients with the 

blanched seaweed and arranged in 

pickling jar 

6. Pour pickling solution* 

*Combine sugar and vinegar and boil 

for 20 minutes to produce pickling 

solution. Be sure to cool pickling 

solution before pouring in to the jar 

or bottle. 

Gracilaria salad 

Ingredients: 

200 g dried or 400 g fresh guraman 

or ur-urmot (Gracilaria) 

500 ml mayonnaise 

1 small can pineapple tidbits 

2 regular size apples 

200 g raisins 

Procedure: 

1. Wash gracilaria (dried or fresh) 

until free from impurities 

2. Blanch seaweed and drain 

3. Cut seaweeds into a length of 

about 1 inch 

4. Mix seaweeds with other 

ingredients 

5. Chill and serve cold. 

Yema with agar 

Ingredients: 

2 cans condensed milk 

1 piece egg 

1/4 cup ground peanut 

1 tsp vanilla 

5 grams agar* 

Procedure: 

1. Dilute agar powder in tap water 

(see instruction at the agar pack) 

2. Pour the condensed milk in frying 

pan 

3. Add egg, peanut, vanilla and 

diluted agar powder 

4. Cook over low heat until the 

mixture is thick enough to shape into 

small balls 

5. Remove from fire, cool and mold 

into desired shape 

6. Wrap in water cellophane 

* agar can be bought at grocery 

stores 

Seaweed chips 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup seaweed puree* 

1 1/2 cup sifted all purpose flour 

1/2 to 1 tsp white pepper 

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp iodized salt 

1/4 cup water 

Procedure: 

1. Mix all ingredients and seaweed 

puree adding water gradually 

2. Knead and run thoroughly in a 

noodle machine 

3. Cut into desired size and deep fry 

4. Sprinkle cheese or any other 

flavor 

5. Cool and pack 

*Seaweed puree 

1 kilo fresh seaweed 

5 cups water 

Procedure: 

1. Boil 5 cups of water 

2. Put seaweed in boiling water for 

10 minutes 

3. Squeeze using cheese cloth 

4. Extracted material is the puree 

Seaweed crackers 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup seaweed puree 

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1 1/2 cup sifted flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 cup flour for dusting 

1 tsp iodized salt 

1/2 tsp onion powder 

1/2 tsp white / black pepper 

Procedure: 

1. Combine all dry ingredients 

2. Add seaweed puree and mix 

thoroughly 

3. Knead the mixture until it can be 

formed into a thin sheet 

4. Cut into desired length 

5. Deep fry, cool and pack.

16 

KALAP January - June 2009

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