BFAR sets up breeding center for Philippines most expensive fish

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela, Philippines — A P10 million research and breeding center for the country’s most expensive fish ludong will be built in Cagayan Valley, the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

The research facility broke ground at the BFAR’s multi high-value species hatchery in Bgy. Taggat Norte, Claveria.

Felicitas Paraggua, senior aquaculturist and head of the  project, said the researches would be done on benchmark information on ludong – sexual maturity and environmental parameters needed to breed and maintain the species in captivity.

Paraggua said due to high market demand, rampant fishing resulted in a huge decline in Ludong catch.

Ludong can only be found in the Cagayan Valley and some rivers in the Cordillera.

“There has been a decline of 33 percent  in Ludong catch from 2003 to 2011,” Paraggua said.

Severina Bueno, BFAR’s fisheries production chief, said it is for the same reason that the agency prohibited the catching of ludong from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 each year.

Bueno said it is during this period when the female ludong starts to migrate from their habitat to go downstream saltwater or to the open sea to spawn.  It is also the same time when fisherfolks  try to catch Ludong, said to be one of the world’s most endangered fish species.

BFAR’s Max Prudencio Jr. said any fisherman caught violating the ban, will face a penalty of six months to eight years of imprisonment or a fine of P6,000 to P80,000.

Ludong, also known as the president’s fish or Pacific Salmon for its delectable taste, is being sold for at least P6,000 a kilo, making it the country’s most expensive fish.