A shortage of bangus and tilapia looms after Typhoon Glenda destroyed fish pens in Luzon’s 2 main sources of fresh water fish.
According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), “Glenda” destroyed fish pens in Laguna de Bay and Taal Lake, creating a free-for-all in both areas.
We are not stopping fishermen from catching these escaped fish since it’s now owned by the public. But we are appealing for them to establish proper control measures to ensure that the supply will not be depleted, BFAR director Asis Perez said today.
“If they continue to overfish these areas, then we will have a shortage of fish in Metro Manila and nearby provinces within the next 3 months, he said.
What Perez just described is known in economics as the “tragedy of the commons,” a situation wherein individuals pursue their self-interest, and in the process threaten the welfare of the entire group.
In the present case, the glut in fresh water fish has led to plummeting prices in wet markets, with bangus or milkfish retailing for P30 a kilo, a 75 percent drop from the P120 a kilo before “Glenda” struck the country.
Similarly, the price of tilapia has gone down by as much as 70 percent from P100 a kilo before the typhoon to P30 in recent days.
The sharp fall in prices has not led to a bonanza for fishers, Perez said, adding that there were few takers for the huge supply, resulting in waste, especially since “Glenda” cut off power to run refrigeration equipment.
“Even at P10 per kilo, no one is buying these fish. It is important for the fishermen to understand that they are only wasting valuable resources. That’s why we have issued an advisory for them to control the fishing activities, Perez said.
The local fishermen are now the owner of these fish. If they want to benefit from these, then they should start managing their catch, he said.
Perez said BFAR is tapping local governments for an information drive among fisherfolk.
According to BFAR estimates, Glenda’s onslaught cost the fisheries sector P2.5 billion, with 53,916 metric tons of fish lost in Laguna de Bay and another 20,745 metric tons in Taal Lake.