Cagayan Valley's 'millionaire fish' faces extinction

TUGUEGARAO CITY - Officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Cagayan Valley are alarmed over the possible extinction of the ludong, the so-called "millionaire's fish" unique to Northern Luzon which is much prized by gourmets for its delectable taste.

BFAR executives fear that if overfishing of ludong will persist at the present rate, there will no longer be any fish left in the bodies of water of Cagayan Valley and elsewhere for future generations to enjoy.

"We have to save the remaining ludong for our children's children," said Jovita Ayson, BFAR regional director.

She said the fish species is now in near-extinction in the Magat and Cagayan Rivers due to illegal as well as indiscriminate fishing.

Ludong costs as much as P1,000 a kilo, thus fishermen find catching it a very lucrative business. A ludong, which measures as long as 36 inches, is best served either as sinigang or kilawen.

The ludong male usually dies after mating with the female, while the female, in turn, burrows into deep-water riverbeds while waiting for her fingerlings to grow. The fish usually becomes abundant between October and December, but rarely surfaces outside this period.

To save ludong from extinction, Ayson asked local officials during a recent gathering here to adopt a resolution earlier passed by the provincial government for the conservation of ludong in their respective areas.

Ayson lauded Isabela officials, particularly the provincial board members, for passing the resolution prohibiting the catching, selling and serving of the endangered fish species in the province for five years. Violators face a fine of P5,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year.

The resolution is authored by board members Nicasio Bautista and Dionesio Bala.

To support the provincial government's move, BFAR has launched "Operation: Sagip Ludong" to save the fish species from extinction.

The ludong, or mannibtong as Ilocanos call it, is also found in the rivers of Santa in Ilocos Sur and Abra in the Cordilleras. Ayson said the ludong (Catreaus plicatilis) population in those areas is also endangered.