Bicol is taking the challenge of producing tilapia for both the domestic and export markets.
Local fishery authorities say there is a big area for growth in the production in Bicol of both the small-sized tilapia which is a hit in the local market and the big-sized that is consistently gaining popularity abroad.
The region had vast freshwater resources that are highly suitable for large-scale production. Among these are the Bato and Buhi Lakes in Camarines Sur, Danao Lake in Polangui, Albay, Bulusan Lake in Sorsogon and several other smaller sites sporadically distributed among the six provinces of the region.
All in all, the region’s inland water resources capable of tilapia production are measured at 246,063 hectares of swamplands, 253,854 hectares of brackish water fishponds, 200,000 hectares of lakes, 31,000 hectares of rivers and 19,000 hectares of reservoir, according to data obtained from the Bureau of fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional office here.
For the domestic market, stepping up production of the presently popular small-sized tilapia (scientific name: Tilapia nituka) varieties called “tilanggit” is necessary and BFAR regional director Dennis del Socorro over the week said they are encouraging local stakeholders to raise more preferably through aquaculture.
The industry for the domestic market is fast expanding as tilapia is now officially considered the Filipino poor man’s fish replacing “galunggong” (roundscad).
