The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office 02 reported the continued fight for the protection of Ludong in the region through intensified implementation of the Oplan Sagip Ludong Project.

During the First Quarter Meeting of the Regional Committee on Sustainable Development (RCSD) for CY 2013, BFAR informed of their various accomplishments. On the maintenance and operation of the ludong laboratory and experimental station, the agency had conducted 137 monitoring activities on water quality parameters in tanks and ponds, 10 regular sampling of mullet stocks, and one hands-on training on breeding of ludong/ mullet, among others.

Likewise, 12 reconnaissance survey region-wide, 10 fishing expeditions and 11 assessment surveys on ludong fishing technologies around Quirino, Cagayan, and Isabela were conducted.

Under research and development, studies and experimentations were undertaken during the period. These included the assessment of fishing technologies employed by fisher folk during the spawning season of ludong in the Cagayan River and its tributaries, the growth performance of cultured mullet in ponds, the ontogenetic development and characterization of larval mugilids in the ipon fisheries, and the study on the viability/ survival of ludong sperm in different salinity level.

Meanwhile, in pushing for effective regulations, BFAR still hopes for the approval of the new Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) for the conservation of ludong in Northern Luzon. Said proposed FAO was supported by the Regional Development Council 2 through the passing of a resolution of support during one of its Council meeting last year. A region-wide resolution of support was also sought among the provinces’ Sangguniang Bayan.

BFAR expressed the continuous information dissemination and advocacy of the Oplan Sagip Ludong through its IEC materials, conduct of fora/public consultations, participation to exhibits and trade fairs, and utilization of several mass media communications.