Cagayan Valley gears up for massive breading of high-value ludong, igat

MANILA, Philippines — The Isabela State University (ISU) is embarking on an ambitious research and development (R&D) project that seeks to develop the  technology for  massive breeding of Cagayan Valley Region’s high value fish (ludong) and freshwater eel (igat).

Using P8 million in funds from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquaculture and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), ISU built a laboratory, and a system of fishtanks as well as an earthen pond network, from which it will raise and breed the ludong and igat.

William Medrano, ISU vice president for research, development and extension, said the project would initially address concerns of extinction especially for the ludong or lobed river mullet that can only be found in the mighty Cagayan river.

“We would like to develop the technology for breeding the ludong species so we can mass produce them, while at the same time conserve the species,” Medrano, a former commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education, told The Star.

“The ludong has  already been declared as one of the endangered species in the country.” he said.

The success of the R&D effort also carries potential economic benefit for the country since it could provide a fish product that could be raised exclusively here and sold locally and abroad.

“As of now, the price per kilo of ludong ranges from P4,000 to P6,000. So you can just imagine if the species will be mass produced with the  development of new  technology,” Medrano said.

ISU professor Hermogenes Tambalque III said they are now in the process of gathering ludong and igat from the Cagayan River.

He said this was a difficult process in view of the thinning population of the ludong.

 “It’s only in Region 2 where you can find this kind of fish, “ Tambalque said.

Tambalque said the igat enjoyed a huge demand from Japan.

“We’re blessed in Region 2. We have very vast fishery resources,” he said.

“We have the Magat dam, one of the largest dams in Asia. It’s about 4,500 hectares. And we have the Cagayan River, the longest river in the Philippines. It’s about 962 kilometers from Quirino province to Aparri,” Tambalque added.

Another difficulty they expect to encounter in the R&D effort on ludong and igat is induced spawning.

ISU, however, is seen to obtain technology assistance from the National Taiwanese Ocean University.