Fine vs ‘ludong’ fishing raised

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines –The government raised to P80,000 the penalty for catching ludong, a critically endangered fish species endemic in the waters of Cagayan Valley.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the move aims to save the country’s most expensive fish from extinction due to over fishing and habitat loss. 

Jovita Ayson, BFAR director for Cagayan Valley, said anyone found catching, selling, purchasing and exporting the fish species also faces imprisonment of up to eight years. 

Also called “President’s Fish” or “Pacific Salmon” for its delectable taste, ludong, which is being sold for at least P5,000 per kilo, is also found in river tributaries and watersheds in Abra and Ilocos Sur. 

The higher fine for ludong fishing is embodied in Administrative Circular 27 signed recently by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala Jr. and BFAR national director Asis Perez.   

The order is effective from October to November, when female ludongs start to migrate from their freshwater habitat to saltwater or to the open sea.  

Ayson said only the DA secretary can grant exemptions to any qualified person, association, or corporation to catch ludong of any size, “but solely for scientific, educational or propagation purposes.”