Large Lapu-Lapu highlights town's status as Maguindanao fishing capital

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — A Lapu-Lapu, or grouper, weighing 9.8 kilograms caught on Monday shows how Datu Blah Sinsuat town in Maguindanao has become the new off-shore fishing capital of the province, locals said.

The large grouper is a common catch in the town, merchants and local officials said.

The fish could sell for more than P1,000 at a local market. Prices sould reach more than P2,000 if sold in Cotabato City, where most fisherfolk in town sell their catch.

The office of Mayor Marshall Sinsuat, the municipal police and the 5th Marine Battalion of the Philippine Navy have been protecting the seas off Datu Blah Sinsuat from illegal fishing practices like the use of dynamite, cyanide and fine-meshed nets.

Related Stories

BFAR's Lake Danao fish farm produces 1 million tilapia fingerlings

Fish imports fail to rein in prices