Apahap raising in fishponds

Apahap (seabass), a freshwater fish species, can now be profitably grown in fishponds.

This was proven by a research project involving a technology developed by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC AQD) based in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Titled "Institutional Capacity Building on Sustainable Aquaculture," the R&D project was undertaken in Hamtik, Antique, as a collaborative effort of local government units (LGU) and SEAFDEC AQD. It was underwritten by the Countryside Development Fund (CDF) of Antique’s Rep. Exequiel Javier.

The SEAFDEC AQD (dream project" aims to empower aquatic resources users by providing them knowledge to become efficient managers and prudent users of their resources).

Started last August, the project had its first harvest last Feb. 2 of 200 pieces of seabass, weighing a total 83 kilograms or nearly half a kilo per fish.

Among those on hand to provide technical assistance during the initial harvest were SEAFDEC AQD chief Dr. Joebert Toledo and "dream project" leader Rene Agbayani.

The harvested seabass were shipped to Manila by RORO (roll on roll off) boat for a trial market run.

• The project took off last August through a three-day on-site training course for a trial market run.

• The project took off last August through a three-day on-site training course for 10 pond technicians in Hamtik.

SEAFDEC AQD taught the technicians how to construct net cages measuring three meters by two meters by 1.3 meters; and how to stock, feed, and sort or size-grade seabass.

The on-site course ended with the technicians stocking fingerlings of seabass in the cages that they constructed.

The stocked seabass fingerlings, with initial sizes of one inch to 3.5 inches, were fed with trash fish and formulated diet. The fingerlings came from SEAFDEC AQD’s fish hatchery.

"With the first successful partial harvest, the pond sites located in Barangays Pu-ao and Bocboc are now considered demonstration sites of SEAFDEC AQD’s seabass culture technology," the center said.

An encouraging development is that the Capiz provincial government headed by Gov. Vicente Bermejo has signed an agreement with SEAFDEC AQD for the implementation of the project in the province. An amount of P2.66 million has been earmarked for the undertaking.

"Ilocos Norte is currently in talks to do the same," SEAFDEC AQD also reported. — Rudy A. Fernandez