BFAR TO PROVIDE FREE FINGERLINGS TO DISPLACED BUHI TILAPIA GROWERS

BFAR TO PROVIDE FREE FINGERLINGS TO DISPLACED BUHI TILAPIA GROWERS

By Cet Dematera

LEGAZPI CITY----The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol has assured yesterday the marginalized tilapia growers of any assistance after the Buhi government has issued a freeze order for the business permit renewal for 2011 of at least 600 fish cage operators due to contamination that resulted to the massive fish kill of tons of tilapia and other fresh water lives in the lake since Nov. Last year.

Buhi mayor Rey Lacoste has issued the freezing of business permit renewal as an extreme measure to save the lake from further devastation as also suggested by an inter-agency consultative body which studied the condition of the world’s smallest commercial fish habitat.

BFAR-Bicol director Dennis del Socorro said that they had already put in place the distribution of fingerlings as well as other forms of assistance in case the marginalized fishermen to be affected by the freeze order would seek their help.

Del Socorro said his office has been anticipating this action following series of dialogues and consultations with fish cage operators, fish vendors, Buhi LGU and other stakeholders should fish cage operations would finally put to halt.

“We will give free fingerlings to the marginalized fishermen who would opt to raise tilapia outside Lake Buhi. But this has to go to the usual processes,” Del Socorro told The STAR.